Despite three small crops in Australia, Darley retained faith in the Group 1 winning Invincible Spirit stallion Territories (IRE) and was rewarded last season with his biggest book of mares to date.
At the Arc meeting at Longchamp overnight, Territories (IRE) struck with his first Group 1 winner.
With Maxime Guyon in the saddle, the Cedric Rossi-trained 3yo filly Rougir outbattled the 5yo Olympic Glory mare, Grand Glory, in a thrilling Group 1 Prix de l'Opera Longines (2000m).
It was the first win of the season for Rougir, who has rarely been out of Group 1 company.
Last year at two, she won her first two starts at Chantilly and Saint-Cloud and was third behind Tiger Tanaka (Clodovil) and Tasmania (Zoffany) on this day in the Prix Marcel Boussac - Criterium des Pouliches. She rounded out her 2yo season with a win in the Group III Prix des Reservoirs at Deauville.
"It's magic. I am really happy for Cedric too. This filly really deserved that," Guyon said.
"I was badly drawn, and I had to be patient.
"Her trainer told me beforehand that the ground wouldn't be a problem. I would like to thank all the connections for trusting me again, as I didn't give her the best of rides in the French Guineas."
Rougir secured a berth in the Breeders' Cup Filly, and Mare Turf at Del Mar and Rossi said she might well take her place.
"The Breeders' Cup could be next. The faster they go, the better for her," Rossi said.
"She wants to go a mile pace but stays 2,000 metres. America should suit her, and she goes on any ground, as all the good ones do.
"She has not been beaten far several times when there hasn't been enough pace on this year, and fortunately, it went our way here."
Bred Jan Krauze, Rougir, then named Lune de Printemps, was consigned by Haras de l'Hotellerie to the 2019 Arqana August Yearling Sale where bloodstock agent Francoise Dupuis had the final say at €55,000.
From the second crop by Territories (IRE), Rougir is the best of two winners from three to race out of the stakes-placed Elusive City mare Summer moon (FR).
A daughter of the Group III-placed Kalatuna (Green Tune), Rougir hails from the family of Epsom Derby and Irish Derby hero Kahyasi (IRE).
This spring, the handsome Territories (IRE) stands at a value fee of $11,000 at Darley, NSW.
