CHARLIE Appleby did have a success at Chantilly last Saturday but not with his highest priority raider as Stage Magic, sent off 3/5 favourite for the Group 3 Prix de Conde, finished a disappointing last of six.

Following in the footsteps of the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere winner Happily, the colts were firmly put in their place by the filly Luminate who picked up really well on the very soft ground to win by three lengths from Kingstar, with the part Coolmore-owned King Of Camelot the same distance away third.

A daughter of Lawman, Luminate was ridden by Aurelien Lemaitr and is trained by Freddy Head for the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing syndicate. Many of the members of the organised syndicate made it across the English Channel to Chantilly see their filly in her finest hour to date. Her record is perfect following a winning debut at Deauville in August.

Head said: “Luminate stays well and loves this sort of going. I thought she’d run well today but it was somewhat of a surprise she won so easily. You mustn’t be too greedy so I’m not quite sure if she’ll turn out for the Criterium de Saint-Cloud (October 29).”

The last Group 1 event of the French season will be the target of Kingstar providing he comes out of the Conde in good form, according to trainer Pia Brandt.

James Doyle was left scratching his head after Stage Magic toiled in last nearly 14 lengths behind the winner. The colt tried to make all and was still going well entering the straight but fell away tamely. Earlier Doyle also had a scare when winning an earlier maiden on Appleby’s Dream Warrior (2/5f), who just held on by a nose.

Otherwise the French defended their listed events well. Andre Fabre landed a double as Glen Shiel won the Prix Le Fabuleux before the promising speedster Beau Ideal picked up the Criterium de Vitesse.