Aristia showed her best on Sunday at Deauville recording a third career victory in determined fashion, narrowly holding on to score in the G1 Prix Jean Romanet (2000m). 

Ville de Grace was a late non-runner due to misbehaving at the starting stalls which reduced the field to seven for the eagerly anticipated Group One feature where all eyes were focused on the superstar Australian eleven-time Group One winning mare, Verry Elleegant. The big attraction seven-year-old mare broke on terms leaving the gates but looked intimidated by the new surroundings on her international debut. She appeared to not be fully striding out and soon found herself slightly detached from the main group, which was led by eventual winner, Aristia. 

Frankie Dettori soon managed to get Verry Elleegant back on an even keel and in touch running last of seven. Aristia was tracked by eventual second, Rosscarbery and the tempo remained leisurely down the back straight with eight lengths between first and last. Things remained that way passing the halfway stage. Sectional times were moderate meaning horses planning to come from behind were being given an almost impossible task.

As runners negotiated the home turn with 700m to go, Verry Elleegant was under pressure but did respond powerfully sweeping round to overtake Rumi and Sundoro as they turned for home. Now she looked the main danger as gradually Aristia was winding up the speed.

With 400m remaining the challenger weakened, and Frankie Dettori found himself out wide and struggling to go on while the leader kept delivering more under pressure from winning jockey Sean Levey, who produced a good rhythm out of Aristia as she kept rolling down the Deauville home straight. 

Ebaiyra, Rosscarbery and Sundoro all provided challenges in the final 200m but the gutsy four-year-old filly, Aristia just kept on going and managed to narrowly fend off rivals and land the 2022 G1 Prix Jean Romanet (2000m) for UK team, trainer Richard Hannon Jr and jockey Sean Levey.

Verry Elleegant found herself finishing last of seven but beaten less than five lengths and recording an almost identical time for the final 600m as the third horse, Ebaiyra.

Aristia is a four-year-old daughter of Starspangledbanner who was Australian-bred and internationally raced. He won six of his sixteen group or listed outings including the G1 Golden Jubilee Stakes (1200m) at Royal Ascot (UK), G1 July Cup (1200m) at Newmarket (UK) alongside the G1 Oakleigh Plate and G1 Caulfield Guineas in Australia. 

Aristia has been running well this season and outran her odds in the G1 Nassau Stakes (2000m) at Goodwood (UK) when runner-up to the G1 Prix de Diane (2100m) winner Nashwa last month. Though not the most consistent she is now proven at the top level.