Pharly

Pharly's early form as a two-year-old was unremarkable: running in maiden races, he finished fourth over 1500 metres at Deauville Racecourse, second over 1400 metres at Maisons-Laffitte Racecourse and second again over 1500 metres at Deauville. He recorded his first success at Longchamp Racecourse winning a minor race over 1400 metres, in which h was receiving weight from the runner-up. Two weeks later, over the same course and distance, Pharly was moved up sharply in class for the Group One Prix de la Forêt. Despite his apparently modest form he was strongly fancied for the race, starting at odds of 3.9/1 in a field of eight runners which included Manado (winner of the Prix de la Salamandre and Grand Critérium), Full of Hope (Prix d'Ispahan), Kesar Queen (Coronation Stakes) and Monsanto (Prix du Rond Point). Kesar Queen made the early running, but Pharly, ridden by Philipperon took the lead soon after half way and won by two lengths from the two-year-old filly Lady Mere, with Manado a length and a half away in third.[3]

In the early part of his second season, Pharly was aimed at the French Classic Races although he was also considered as a possible contender for the 2000 Guineas.[5] On his first appearance as a three-year-old he was matched against Blushing Groom the leading French juvenile of 1976 in the Prix de Fontaineblau over 1600 metres at Longchamp on 3 April and finished third behind Blushing Groom and Water Boy. In the Poule d'Essai des Poulains over the same course and distance three weeks later he started at odds of 9.25/1 and finished second of the six runners, three lengths behind Blushing Groom. On 15 May, the colt was moved up in distance to contest the Prix Lupin over 2100 metres. Starting at odds of 4.3/1 he appeared well-suited by the step up in distance and won by three-quarters of a length from Crystal Palace, with Water Boy finishing third ahead of Carwhite. With Blushing Groom being sent to England for The Derby, Pharly was regarded as a leading contender for the French equivalent, the Prix du Jockey Club over 2400 metres at Chantilly Racecourse on 5 June, starting at odds of 3.25/1 behind the Guy de Rothschild entry consisting of Crystal Palace and Concertino. On this occasion, the distance appeared to be beyond him and he finished eighth behind Crystal Palace, and several other horses he had beaten in the Lupin. Pharly was brought back in distance for the Prix d'Ispahan over 1850 metres at Longchamp three weeks later. In a finish which saw all six of the runners closely grouped throughout, he finished second, a length and a half behind Lightning, an unbeaten colt who started 6/5 favourite.[6]

Pharly was off the racecourse for ten weeks before returning in the Prix du Rond Point over 1600 metres at Longchamp on 4 September. He started favourite and won but half a length and a short neck from River Dane and Monseigneur to whom he was conceding five and six pounds respectively. The Prix du Moulin over the same course and distance three weeks later attracted a small, but high-quality field and Pharly started third favourite behind Lightning and Flying Water, with the field being made up by Monseigneur, Sanedtki, Polyponder and River Dane. Maurice Philipperon tracked the leader Lighting, before sending Pharly up to challenge for the lead into the straight. He took the lead and won "comfortably" by one and a half lengths from Monseigneur, with Sanedtki two lengths back in third. On 23 October, Pharly was made 4/5 favourite against nine opponents as he attempted to repeat his 1976 success in the Prix de la Forêt but was beaten two lengths by Sanedtki after meeting some interference in the straight. Philipperon complained that he had been denied a clear run but Timeform concluded that "probably the best horse on the day won".[6]