The Roger Charlton-trained Quest For More (IRE) failed to strike a blow in Australia last spring when 16th in the Group III Geelong Cup and ninth in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup.
The 6yo son of Teofilo (IRE) has been a model of consistency since his return to Europe and was rewarded with a maiden Group 1 success in Saturday's €300,000 Prix Du Cadran (4100m) at Chantilly.
After leading all the way in the Lonsdale Cup at York and beaten a nose in the Doncaster Cup, Quest For More came from last to defeat the favourite Vazirabad (FR) (Manduro) by a short-neck with Nearly Caught (New Approach) five lengths back in third.
Winning rider George Baker said he doubted the trainer would have approved of his new tactics.
"That was the bottom of the alphabet plan and
"I know if that's the case with him, they are probably going too fast."
"He's a special horse but didn't travel with his normal fluency today. I just let him find his feet and I knew he'd stay well, he's a model of consistency.
A 58,000gns purchase at the 2011 Tattersalls October Yearling sale, Quest For More advanced his overall record to 8 wins, 6 seconds and 4 thirds from 26 starts with earnings of €729,667.
Bred by Epona Bloodstock Limited, Quest For More is out of the Rainbow Quest mare No Quest, who is also the dam of the Group III Elkhorn Stakes winner Macaw who was second in the Group I Canadian International and Group I Sword Dancer Invitational Handicap.
No Quest is a half-sister to Group 1 French 2,000 Guineas winner No Pass No Sale. and the Group III Prix de Sandringham winner Once in My Life.
Quest For More becomes the 11th Group 1 winner for Teofilo (IRE) who is standing at Kelvinside at a fee of $44,000 including GST, alongside his G1-winning son Kermadec ($22,000 including GST).
