https://www.scmp.com/rss/524423/feed The latest news and updates on Francis-Henri Graffard, a highly respected French horse trainer based in Chantilly, who established his stable in October 2011 with a lifelong ambition to train. A law graduate, his passion for horses stems from his grandfather, a noted National Hunt breeder. Graffard honed his expertise through the Godolphin Flying Start programme and as assistant trainer to Alain de Royer-Dupré. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Andrea Atzeni continued his brilliant patch of form with a double at Sha Tin on Sunday, headlined by Young Champion’s gutsy win in the Class Two CW Chu Alumni Handicap (1,200m). The John Size-trained sprinter went into the race on the back of 17 straight defeats, but he had put the writing on the wall with a trio of unlucky runs at both Sha Tin and Happy Valley. There were no hard-luck stories on this occasion, however, with the Zoustar galloper landing in the box seat from barrier one and after... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3348312/andrea-atzeni-and-francis-lui-enjoy-doubles-satono-reve-stamps-champions-day-ticket-japan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3348312/andrea-atzeni-and-francis-lui-enjoy-doubles-satono-reve-stamps-champions-day-ticket-japan?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 29 Mar 2026 12:09:59 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Francis-Henri Graffard is “not scared” of fellow French raider Sosie as he gears Goliath up for a crack at Sunday’s Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) at Sha Tin. A dual Group One winner, including the prestigious King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2,400m) at Ascot last year and more recently the Grosser Preis von Baden (2,400m) in Germany, Goliath is one of the leading players for Sunday’s top-level prize. Immortalised by his quirky stringhalt, which sees him “stomp” his left hind due to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3336191/francis-henri-graffard-not-scared-sosie-goliath-looks-fly-flag-france?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3336191/francis-henri-graffard-not-scared-sosie-goliath-looks-fly-flag-france?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 12 Dec 2025 06:43:15 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Last year’s winner Giavellotto will lead a European assault on the Group One Longines Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) and bid to become the first horse since 2008 to win the HK$26 million prize back to back. Just two horses, Doctor Dino (2007-2008) and Luso (1996-1997), have won the race in consecutive years since the race was given Group One status in 1994, while Highland Reel (2015 and 2017) and Glory Vase (2019 and 2021) are the only other horses to have repeat wins. That shows the mountain that... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3334256/giavellotto-goes-rare-repeat-hong-kong-vase-raiders-take-aim?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3334256/giavellotto-goes-rare-repeat-hong-kong-vase-raiders-take-aim?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Nov 2025 11:36:10 +0000 Sam Agars Sam Agars Two of the world’s very best could do battle in a showdown for the ages in next month’s Group One Longines Hong Kong Cup (2,000m), with the mighty Calandagan still a chance to face local hero Romantic Warrior. The catch, however, is that recently crowned European Horse of the Year Calandagan must first get through this Sunday’s Group One Japan Cup (2,400m) and is considered a slim chance of actually making it to Sha Tin. Whatever happens with Calandagan, Romantic Warrior – who returned from... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3334220/calandagan-could-lead-attack-romantic-warrior-first-he-must-make-it-through-japan-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3334220/calandagan-could-lead-attack-romantic-warrior-first-he-must-make-it-through-japan-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Nov 2025 08:59:58 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Calandagan justified favourtism in devastating fashion to give Francis-Henri Graffard back-to-back wins in the Group One King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2,400m) at Ascot on Saturday. The Gleneagles gelding was beaten by Jan Brueghel in the Group One Coronation Cup (2,400m) at Epsom in June but reversed the form in no uncertain terms after what looked to be a tactical mishap from Ballydoyle. From an outsiders view, the Aidan O’Brien-trained Continuous looked to be a pacemaker for his... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3319825/calandagan-wins-king-george-ascot-while-godolphin-snares-german-group-one-honours?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3319825/calandagan-wins-king-george-ascot-while-godolphin-snares-german-group-one-honours?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Jul 2025 07:46:32 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Dave The King will look for his crowning glory when he goes for back-to-back wins in the Group One HKJC Champions Cup (1,800m) at Greyville on Sunday. The Mike and Mathew De Kock-trained star is unbeaten in two starts this campaign, latterly winning the Group One Gold Challenge (1,600m) at Greyville in June. The four-year-old was a comfortable winner of this race 12 months ago, cruising clear on his way to becoming South African Horse of the Year. The father and son combination have their runner... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3319687/dave-king-bids-champions-cup-repeat-keagen-de-melo-opposition-greyville?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3319687/dave-king-bids-champions-cup-repeat-keagen-de-melo-opposition-greyville?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 26 Jul 2025 08:03:38 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding International superstar Rebel’s Romance will look to add an elusive British Group One to his CV when he lines up in the Group One King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2,400m) at Ascot on Saturday. The only overseas winner of Hong Kong’s Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m), Charlie Appleby’s globetrotter has won 18 of his 26 career starts including seven top-level successes in four different countries. He added a Royal Ascot win to his incredible record when surging clear to land the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3319572/global-superstar-rebels-romance-bids-missing-british-group-one-king-george-ascot?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3319572/global-superstar-rebels-romance-bids-missing-british-group-one-king-george-ascot?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Jul 2025 07:01:32 +0000