Ado McGuinness' gamble of supplementing A Case Of You for the Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines paid off with a last-gasp triumph in the famous five-furlong dash.
The three-year-old got up on the line to deny Air De Valse and give Ireland a first success in the Abbaye since Maarek in 2013.
As expected, having a low draw proved crucial with A Case Of You (8-1) coming from stall five and Air De Valse out of gate two at ParisLongchamp.
Winter Power, Ponntos and Air De Valse were among the early leaders - and it looked like the latter was going to prevail after Corine Barande-Barbe's five-year-old mare went clear of the field.
However, Ronan Whelan conjured a great run out of A Case Of You and the Flying Five Stakes runner-up pounced late to lead on the line.
McGuinness said: "When he was second in the Flying Five he was my first ever runner in a Group One and we supplemented him for this race last week because I knew he'd improve.
"The Flying Five was his first ever run over five furlongs and he's just got better and better. I think he'll be a very good horse next year.
"We ran him in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot and he wasn't right, but I knew he was right today. I have a good sprinter that won the other night and he can't lay up with this horse.
"I just can't believe it. We'll definitely look at the Breeders' Cup, either that or put him away and look at Dubai next year."
That is so close! The Group 1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines goes to Ireland as A Case Of You runs down Air De Valse at @paris_longchamp! @adomcguinness1 @WhelanRonan #WinAndYoureIN pic.twitter.com/M9VJaAAsid
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 3, 2021
Irish jockey Oisin Murphy rode a winner in the first race on the card as Zellie prevailed in the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac.
Trained by Andre Fabre, Zellie had sat at the back of the pack for much of the race before the 4-1 shot came on strong to see off Times Square after front-runner Fleur D'Iris tired.
Space Blues ran out an impressive winner of the Qatar Prix de la Foret.
The Charlie Appleby-trained entire had been unable to take his chance in the only Group One contest over seven furlongs in Europe for the last two years but made no mistake on his belated appearance.
Having won a very valuable race in Saudi Arabia in February and the Group Two City Of York Stakes, from his four previous starts in 2021, the five-year-old was sent off a well-backed 11-4 favourite - and did not let his supporters down.
Held up in the early stages, Space Blues was third last turning for home. But William Buick oozed confidence as he moved the Godolphin runner to the outside to make his challenge.
Sweeping into the lead in the final furlong, Space Blues was a convincing winner from Pearls Galore and third-placed Entscheiden - giving connections compensation after the honourable defeats of Hurricane Lane and Adayar in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Rougir edged out Grand Glory in a thrilling finish to the Prix de l'Opera Longines at ParisLongchamp.
The 16-1 winner, trained by Cedric Rossi and ridden by Maxime Guyon, cane out on top in a close call to the mile-and-a-quarter Group One for fillies and mares.
It looked for a long way as though James Fanshawe's Audarya, third behind Tarnawa 12 months ago, might land the prize, but ultimately she had nothing left in the closing stages.
Space Blues, what a rocket! @paris_longchamp @godolphin
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 3, 2021
Sibila Spain made the running until the Fanshawe mare swept past her. However, after being held together by Ioritz Mendizabal she could not last home in the testing conditions as Rougir and Grand Glory made their bids and she had to settle for fourth place. Eudaimonia was third.
In the Jean-Luc Lagardere, 9-2 shot Angel Bleu, ridden by Frankie Dettori, reeled in long-time leader Noble Truth with favourite Ancient Rome taking third.
Hoggar De L'ardus prevailed in the Arabian World Cup Group One race with the 15-2 priced runner denying Oisin Murphy another winner with Lady Princess finishing second.
There was another big winner in the Qatar Grand Handicap des Flyers Presente par RMC as Be My Day, at 28-1, triumphed, while 11-4 favourite Dantes claimed the Qatar Prix de la Centieme Edition l'Arc Handicap from Torpen.
