Rayif returned from 217 days off to claim Sunday's Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains at ParisLongchamp, delivering a tactically flawless performance that showcased both class and preparation under the Aga Khan Studs silks.

Drawing stall 1, the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained colt broke cleanly and settled into third behind Hankelow and Wootton Centurion through the early pace. Retained rider Mickaël Barzalona positioned him perfectly entering the straight, exploiting the open stretch — the detached inside lane — to ensure Rayif covered less ground than any rival in the field.

Komorebi, piloted by William Buick, found himself racing well back and was forced to mount a wide challenge from deep. He rallied for second, overhauling the persistent Hankelow who had led for much of the 1,600-metre contest.

Elite Operation Firing on All Cylinders

The result extends a purple patch for the Aga Khan-Graffard-Barzalona axis. The same combination captured the Japan Cup in late 2025 with world champion Calandagan, underlining the operation's sharp international form.

For Graffard, the Poule d'Essai des Poulains had remained elusive — this was his first success in the European colts' mile championship. The Aga Khan Studs had not won the race since Sendawar in 1999, a 26-year gap now emphatically closed.

Rayif's return after more than seven months away, combined with the tactical precision required to maximise his inside draw, suggests a colt peaking at the right time with a team operating at the highest level.