Andre Fabre dominated the Prix Jacques le Marois as his two contenders Esoterique and Territories filled first and second places in the traditional Group One highlight of the summer season at Deauville.
The trainer's decision to scratch Vadamos and rely on a twin rather than triple spearhead paid handsome dividends as Pierre-Charles Boudot guided the amazingly consistent Esoterique to her first triumph in more than a year.
It was a deserving victory for the Baron Edouard de Rothschild-owned mare, who only a week earlier had finished a gallant runner-up behind Muhaarar in the Prix Maurice de Gheest.
And while Esoterique is known to enjoy cut in the ground, Territories coped well with conditions that were not in his favour. Under Mickael Barzalona, the Qipco 2000 Guineas runner-up battled all the way to the finishing line.
A delighted Fabre, who had criticised the decision to run four races on the course before the Marois, said: "I am delighted with the way both of my horses have run.
"Everything changes as the season develops, but I think Esoterique will go for the Prix du Moulin and possibly the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket. There is a race for her at the Breeders' Cup, or one in Japan."
Fabre added that Territories had justified the decision to participate and said: "I was very pleased with Territories. He came there looking like a potential winner on ground that was far from ideal."
Olly Stevens was a proud man after watching Lightning Spear bag fourth in the hands of Oisin Murphy, while Jonathan Pease and the connections of sixth home Karakontie are relishing the prospect of taking the Niarchos family-owned colt back to America.
Alan Cooper, racing manager to that operation, said: "He was having a first run since winning the Breeders' Cup Mile and was understandably ring-rusty."The important thing is that Stephane Pasquier said the horse gave him a nice feel and that there is plenty of room for improvement.
"We will take him to the Moulin, but the Keeneland race (Breeders' Cup Mile) is what everything is being geared towards."
James Doyle was not disappointed with Toormore in fifth and said: "I am very pleased with him, it was a solid enough run."
Earlier, the Aga Khan's Candarliya displayed both speed and stamina to outpoint Yaazy in the Group Three Prix Minerve.
Her trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre said: "On this course she is able to quicken up and outstay her rivals.
"She was beaten three times last year and we needed to give her time. In that time she has matured and improved, and I hope she will keep doing so when we make the choice between the Prix Vermeille, the Prix de Royallieu or decide to do both."
