Deserved G3 win for Afjan caps big day for Mehmas

A big day for Mehmas in France on Sunday was capped by the victory of Al Shaqab homebred Afjan in the Group 3 Prix d'Arenberg at Longchamp.

His win came hot on the heels of the debut success of Roundhill Stud's homebred Shahbanu in the fillies newcomer event on the same card.

Trained by Henri Devin, Afjan had held his own in good company since his winning debut at Chantilly in June, notably when second in the Group 3 Prix de Cabourg and Listed Prix Yacowlef.

Partnered on Sunday by Christophe Soumillon, the colt was held up just behind the leaders and having hit the front inside the final furlong, had enough in store to hold off the challenge of Havana Anna.

Afjan could next be seen taking on his elders in the Group 1 Prix de l'Abbaye.

"This horse hails from a family that I know quite well as I trained the dam and the sister and we have won a lot of races with the family," said trainer Henri Devin. "He is not very big, but he has a huge heart and is a fighter who loves soft ground. It is possible that we run him next in the Abbaye. The weight-for- age [allowance] is huge, we have nothing to lose and it could be a fun venture."

The Al Shaqab homebred is out of the operation's Queen Mary Stakes runner-up Al Johrah, a half-sister to the high-class miler Stormy Antarctic.