Chantilly, France (AFP) — Gezora won the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) at Chantilly on Sunday, with winning trainer Francis Graffard producing an astonishing feat in training three of the first four home.

Gezora’s jockey Christophe Soumillon produced the winner down the outside as she stormed clear with a stunning burst of pace.

They flashed past the post to raucous cheers from a bumper crowd basking in the sunshine, with the Chantilly chateau and its equally impresssive stables providing a suitably sumptuous backdrop.

Aidan O’Brien’s Irish raider Bedtime Story came with a late run and was catching Gezora, but the finishing post came just in time.

Graffard’s Cankoura was third, with Mandanaba, owned by Princess Zahra Aga Khan, fourth.

Little wonder that Graffard, 48, was jumping up and down in the stands as he soaked up his achievement.

“I am ecstatic,” he said.

“The three were not entered because I am a dreamer, they all had chances.

“It is difficult to make a choice of what races you put your horses in when you have different owners.

“My neck suffered as I had to follow all three with my binoculars, it was not that easy!”

Graffard is usually one who is an expert at managing his emotions but mention of his father being present had him choking back tears.

Graffard has a law degree, but despite not coming from a racing family, his head was turned to eventually becoming a trainer.

His father had other ideas.

“He wanted me to be a Formula One driver!” said Graffard.