After placings in his first two graded stakes starts this year, BLAME’s stakes winner Sibayan registered a well-deserved victory with a win in the Prix Maurice de Nieuil (G2).
Racing 1 ¾ miles over the Longchamp turf, Sibayan broke strongly and started the beginning stages racing a little keenly while restrained behind other horses. He settled after a few furlongs and raced near the back of the tightly packed field with just one horse beat around the far turn.
It looked like the BLAME runner may lack running room late, but he created a hole for himself after a few attempts to give him enough room to come after the leader.
With a furlong left, he had the lead and won comfortably by half a length for his owner-breeder Aga Khan Studs.
Trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, Sibayan has won six of his 11 starts with three other top three finishes.
The 4-year-old is one of two winners from two to race out of dual stakes winner Sirrin. Out of stakes winner Sindirana, Sirrin is a half-sister to Grade 3-placed Doyeni and the dam of Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed Sonaiyla.
This is the third stakes winner of the year for the ultra-consistent BLAME, who has also sired 10 stakes performers.