In the first of the Group 1s at Deauville on Sunday, favourite Mqse De Sevigne completed a double double in winning her second Group 1 Sumbe Prix Jean Romanet, again adding it to her triumph in the Group 1 Prix Rothschild in July. a race which she also won last season. She also won the Group 1 Prix d'Ispahan earlier in the year,

However, she was made to fight all the way on Sunday by the Joseph O’Brien-trained in the five-runner 10-furlongs contest.

American Sonja made most of the running with Mqse De Sevigne racing in last place. By the two-furlong mark, she had come with her challenge and all looked according to plan. But both

Blue Rose Cen, running her best race of the season, and American Sonja proved very though to pass.

O’Brien’s other runner Maxux was also staying on late in the far side. American Sonja pressed the favourite all the way to the line but Mqse De Sevigne was just too strong and under Alexis Pouchin, she won by a head and a short neck.

The daughter of Siyouni, owned by Baron Edouard De Rothschild, is unbeaten in her four runs this season, had been mentioned as an Arc de Triomphe contender but would have to step up on this form.

“She’s a great mare, she is beautiful and has all that you can expect from a well-bred thoroughbred,” the master trainer told Sky Sports Racing.

“Keep in mind that she wins all her races by a nose or a short head. That (Arc) was the plan and it will stay that way – we will go straight for the Arc.”

Major romps in

The first group race on the card, the Group 2 Sumbe Prix Kergorlay over a mile and seven furlongs saw a hugely impressive winner when the odds-on favourite Double Major raced away in the final two furlongs for a seven-length success under Stephane Pasquier. Goya Senora took second, a length and three quarters ahead of Alessio.

Last season’s Group 1 Prix Royal-Oak, he will be tough to beat in those French staying contests again this autumn.

Owned by Wertheimer brothers and, though foaled in Ireland, he is a four-year-old son of Japanese sire Daiwa Major, the Christophe Ferland trained gelding was adding to a last time out win in the Group 2 Prix Maurice de Nieuil