Charyn confirms champion miler status
The Roger Varian-trained Charyn (4 c Dark Angel – Futoon by Kodiac) confirmed his status as Europe’s best miler when taking out Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) at Ascot.
Having arguably been unlucky to have not entered Saturday’s Group 1 contest unbeaten in six starts this season, with his two defeats in the Lockinge Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) and Prix du Moulin (Gr 1, 1600m) respectively coming when too far behind front-running winners, the son of Dark Angel (Acclamation) made no mistake this weekend.
Ridden by usual jockey Silvestre De Sousa, the four-year-old colt travelled powerfully to lead on the bridle with two furlongs left to race and, when challenged by Facteur Cheval (Ribchester), found plenty under pressure to deny the French raider by two lengths.
There was a further four and a quarter lengths back to last-start Sun Chariot Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) winner Tamfana (Soldier Hollow) in third place.
Post-race, Varian revealed that the Nurlan Bizakov-owned colt could well have one more run before retiring to stud, with both the Breeders’ Cup Mile (Gr 1, 8f) or Mile Championship (Gr 1, 1600m) in Japan on November 17 down as options.
Varian told ITV: “He’s the finished article, he’s fully developed and in his peak. Hasn’t he been great all year? It’s a great result. It’s already been announced that he’ll retire at the end of the season and be a stallion for Nurlan Bizakov Sumbe’s operation in France.
“I’d, of course, would love him to stay on but it’s not the case. We’ll see how he comes out of this but we’ll contemplate one more international run.”
It was announced earlier in the month that Charyn would stand his first season for Sumbe at Haras de Montfort et Preaux in France in 2025.