Amusingly beats the boys in Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere

Oct 04, 2026 Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com

Amusingly wins the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (G1) (Photo by Coady Media)

Juddmonte’s homebred filly Amusingly uncorked a last-to-first rally to beat the boys in Sunday’s Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (G1) on Arc Day at ParisLongchamp, a scoring race on the Euro/Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Amusingly is trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, who later sent out Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) champion Daryz to score an historic repeat in France’s signature race. Her rider, Colin Keane, guided another Arc fancy, the Juddmonte mare Kalpana, who finished fifth.

Not originally made eligible for the Lagardere, Amusingly was supplemented to the field earlier in the week. The about seven-furlong distance was the key reason. The major fillies’ race on Arc Day, the Prix Marcel Boussac (G1), is held over a metric mile, and Amusingly was just edged at that longer trip in the local prep, the Sept. 6 Prix d’Aumale (G2). But she had won her debut smartly at Compiegne at about seven furlongs.

Shortening up for the Lagardere was preferable, even at the risk of taking on colts, led by odds-on favorite Folsom Blues. Amusingly went off as a 10-1 outsider, but she proved well up to the task and paid $22 stateside.

Folsom Blues broke from the far outside post 10, with Amusingly next door in post 9, and both dropped back early. Amusingly bided her time in last, monitoring Folsom Blues just ahead of her.

When Folsom Blues shifted out to prepare for his bid, Amusingly angled out widest of all. Both quickened past the field, but she outkicked the favorite to win by 1 1/4 lengths.

Amusingly clocked 1:19.40 and earned 10 points on the Euro/Mideast Road. Given her profile, though, she’ll stick to turf rather than try to stretch out on dirt.

For the first time since 2017, a filly wins the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. 🏆

Amusingly takes charge to make history and earns 10 points on the Euro/Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby. pic.twitter.com/zClv7lheb6

— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) October 4, 2026

Folsom Blues settled for second (five points) to a filly in a Group 1 contest for the second time. The Joseph O’Brien trainee was runner-up to the streaking Sun Goddess in the Phoenix (G1). He subsequently booked a Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) ticket in the Vincent O’Brien National (G1).

A pair of Aidan O’Brien pupils fought out the finish for third, with Man’s Best Friend (three points) just edging Florida Bay (two points). Another Ballydoyle stablemate, Aix La Chapelle, picked up one point in fifth. Next came hitherto unbeaten Avec Toi, Big Money Man, Imperial Strike, Alfred Wallace, and early leader Crusherman.

Although the Lagardere serves as a “Win and You’re In” for the Juvenile Turf at Keeneland, Amusingly would be unlikely to take a one-mile distance test again this season. The British-bred daughter of No Nay Never could aim for a mile fillies’ classic next spring.

Amusingly is out of the multiple stakes-winning and Group 3-placed sprinter Joyeuse, who is herself a half-sister (by Oasis Dream) to the all-time great Frankel.