English colt Mishriff powered clear of a tight field on the Chantilly home straight yesterday to win the Prix du Jockey-Club, known as the French Derby, as favourite Victor Ludorum could only manage third.
Later, Irish filly Fancy Blue held off a triple challenge in a tight final dash to win the Prix de Diane at the scenic track north of Paris to complete a good weekend for the O’Brien family of trainers.
The Derby carries a 1.5mn euro ($1.68mn) purse, the second largest in France after the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
 The 2.1km (1.3 mile) Group One classic culminates with 600m slightly uphill finish past the Chantilly chateau and the main contenders were neck-and-neck in the final furlong when French-based Spanish jockey Ioritz Mendizabal let Mishriff, trained by John Gosden, off the leash.
“That’s a great horse. Bravo Mr Gosden,” Mendizabal said, after guiding the 7-1 shot out of a tricky position in the home straight.
 “The race went well, although Mishriff took the bit in front of the chateau before relaxing, I’m just delighted. Mishriff has everything it takes to run the Arc,” Mendizabal said.
 Gosden also trains two-time Arc winner Enable, who was beaten in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown on Sunday.
 The trainer said he was pleased with Mishriff, which is owned by Saudi Prince Faisal, and his jockey.
 “He’s a lovely horse,” the trainer said. “His owner wanted him to run in the race and he was right. I was particularly pleased by his final 100 metres. To win my first Prix du Jockey Club is wonderful, it is a historic race.”
 “I used a French jockey because I did not know at the time whether an English one would have to quarantine and also Ioritz knows Chantilly well,” Gosden said of Mendizabal. “He gave him a cracking ride.”
 The Summit, a 25-1 outsider, held on for second while pre-race 13-8 favourite Victor Ludorum left his run too late and could only take third.
 Fancy Blue gave 22-year-old Irish trainer Donnacha O’Brien victory in the Prix de Diane, a race his father Aidan, who trained Saturday’s winners in the English Derby and Oaks, has never won.
 Fancy Blue at 13/2 was never more than half a length ahead as she beat favourite Alpine Star, who is trained by Jessica Harrington, to the line.
 “She is very brave and very hard,” said jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot.
 “I’m so happy for her trainer Donnacha O’Brien.”