DEAUVILLE (France), Aug 18: Banks Hill gave owner Khalid Abdullah a weekend to remember with a polished display in the group one Prix Jacques le Marois Sunday.

Olivier Peslier rode Banks Hill to victory by a length and a half from Domedriver, ridden by Thierry Thulliez, with Frankie Dettori’s Best Of The Bests a similar distance back in third.

The French filly’s Saudi owner had also tasted success in Chicago 24 hours earlier with Beat Hollow in the Arlington Million and Chiselling in the Secreteriat Stakes.

Banks Hill will now attempt to repeat her victory in the Breeders’ Cup Filly And Mare Turf at Arlington in October after opening her seasonal account.

Anchored towards the rear in the early stages by Peslier, the Andre Fabre runner made steady progress through the field and showed her pedigree with a strong finish.

The high class filly pounced on long-time leader Best Of The Bests in the last 100 yards, where her trademark acceleration made all the difference.

Teddy Beckett, racing manager to Prince Khalid Abdullah, said: “Banks Hill has really blossomed since Royal Ascot (where she was third in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes), and she definitely needs good ground which she got here.

“The filly can really quicken up and the aim is to try and repeat her Breeders’ Cup success.”

Banks Hill, second in the race last year after being moved up a place from third, notched up her third group one win.

As well as her Breeders’ Cup victory, Banks Hill also won the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot last season.

Result:

1. Banks Hill (ridden by Olivier Peslier); 2. Domedriver (Thierry Thulliez); 3. Best Of The Bests (Frankie Dettori); 4. Turtle Bow (Christophe Soumillon).

Eight ran.

Distances: One and a half lengths, the same, one length.

Winner owned by Khalid Abdullah, trained by Andre Fabre in France.

Value to the winner: $271,678.

Pari-Mutuel (includes a one euro stake): Win: 2.70; Places: 1.20 2.60 1.70.

Dual Forecast 16.60.—Reuters