Freddie Head on cloud nine as Moonlight proves to strong in France

Moonlight Cloud created history at Deauville with a mesmerising performance in the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Prix Jacques le Marois.

Freddie Head’s brilliant mare became the first horse to win the Normandy track’s twin Group One highlights in the same year – just seven days after her record-breaking third triumph in the Prix Maurice de Gheest.

Veteran rider Thierry Jarnet’s mount saw a three-length advantage eroded all the way to the line by the gallant Olympic Glory, but in a desperate finish held Frankie Dettori’s mount by a short head. Intello, proved no match for the principals and under Olivier Peslier finished a length and three quarters back in third.

Dawn Approach looked superb in the paddock and did not appear to have visibly lost any condition since his tough Sussex Stakes battle with Toronado, but when asked for his effort Kevin Manning's mount was swamped by the blistering turn of foot of the winner.

Head has no doubts that the Prix de la Foret at Longchamp on Arc day will be Moonlight Cloud’s next race, with a possibility it could be her last.

The trainer said: “We’ll see how she is. The plan has always been to bypass the Moulin and to run in the Foret on Arc day. After that it will be up to George Strawbridge.

Dawn Approach's trainer Jim Bolger said: "We will take him home and freshen him up for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in the autumn."

Manning gave a more guarded summary and said: “He just wasn’t the same racehorse he has been all year.”