Blue Canari, a 33-1 outsider, handed trainer Pascal Bary's his fifth triumph in the Prix du Jockey Club (Fr-I) Sunday at Chantilly, overcoming favored Prospect Park in the final strides by a head.
Four of Bary's French Derby victories came for owner Jean-Louis Bouchard, who nearly decided to skip Sunday's race because the French-bred son of Acatenango had been disappointing.
Bary told The Racing Post they changed their mind, though. "Last Tuesday Monsieur Bouchard telephoned me and said 'Let's run Blue Canari in the Jockey Club as it will be more amusing.'"
They could decide to supplement to the Irish Derby (Ire-I) at The Curragh on June 27.
"I suppose we must now think of a supplement into the Irish Derby," Bary told The Racing Post. "To be honest Blue Canari has not been entered in any top races, not even the Arc de Triomphe. He was spot on the day it mattered."
Thierry Thulliez dropped Blue Canari well off the pace, making only slight headway until swinging into full gear in the final quarter of mile. She quickened in the final 100 yards and just nipped Prospect Park, who appeared to be on the way to victory under Olivier Peslier.
Valixir was a half-length behind in third, while Day Flight finished fourth. The final time for the 1 1/2-mile event on good to soft going was 2:25.2.
Ange Gardien (5th), Lord du Sud (6th), Reefscape (7th), Five Dynasties (8th), Top of the Bill (9th), Day or Night (10th), Manyana (11th), Delfos (12th), Top Seed (13th), King of Cry (14th), Yorik (15th).