Graffard Duo A Significant New HKIR Threat

Few would dispute that 2025 has been a breakout year for France’s leading stables, but the numbers alone confirm Francis Graffard’s arrival in the highest echelon of global training ranks. Surpassing Andre Fabre’s long-held record of 13 Group 1 victories for a French trainer in a single calendar year, the 48-year-old has compiled a season of major international milestones heading into this weekend’s Longines Hong Kong International Races (HKIR). Among the highlights was a maiden Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) win with Daryz, while Zarigana and Gezora claimed French Classic laurels. Yet it’s abroad where Graffard has elevated his status, Gezora delivering a first Breeders’ Cup triumph, and Calandagan notching elite success in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2392m), Champion Stakes (1993m), and Japan Cup (2400m) – the first non-domestic win in that race since 2005. The Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (2400m) also went Graffard’s way, as did multiple other black type features across the continent. This weekend, two of his most seasoned campaigners take their place at Sha Tin. Goliath lines up in the HK$26 million Longines Hong Kong Vase (2400m), returning for a second attempt at the circuit after a midfield finish in April’s QEII Cup. Quisisana, meanwhile, heads to the HK$40 million Longines Hong Kong Cup (2000m) for her first overseas test. “I’m very happy with them both; they worked well at Chantilly on Wednesday and they seem in top shape,” Graffard told racingnews.hkjc.com. Goliath’s 2024 campaign has been headlined by victories in the King George and Germany’s Grosser Preis von Baden (2400m), results that signalled a successful rebuilding phase. “Through the season, I tried to rebuild his confidence and his physical ability. He was really well for America and he travelled really well, so that was a good sign that a long journey isn’t a problem anymore,” Graffard said. Holding an international rating of 120, Goliath sits alongside Arc third Sosie and last year’s Vase winner Giavellotto – and only three points off Hong Kong star Los Angeles. “It’s a strong race but with quite an open feel to it. As we know with Goliath, everything needs to go his way for him to give his best.” Visually imposing during trackwork, Quisisana (see below) could quickly attract local attention. Christophe Soumillon reunites with the Le Havre mare, having steered her to a first Group 1 in Deauville’s Prix Jean Romanet (2000m), which granted her Arc qualification. Although that mile-and-a-half assignment stretched her stamina, Graffard remains bullish about her preferred distance: “She is a long-striding filly and I think a mile-and-a-quarter will be better for her, while I couldn’t be happier with her condition.” Despite this season’s accolades, Graffard has only once previously contested the HKIR – with Karar, who finished 13th in the 2017 Hong Kong Mile. He concedes that it’s a tough ask of his pair this late in the season, however believes it’s important to have a presence at the meeting.