Vandeek came with a late charge to beat Ramatuelle in the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville on Sunday.
The winner was kept covered up at the rear of the field by jockey Andrea Atzeni in the early stages of the race as fellow UK raider Jasour set the pace. Favourite Ramatuelle made her move with a furlong and a half to run, pulling clear from the field as they entered the final stages of the race. The Simon and Ed Crisford-trained Vandeek chased the filly home, demonstrating a game attitude to hit the front in the dying strides. Aidan O'Brien's River Tiber had suffered a setback in the lead up to the race but stayed on well for third under Ryan Moore.
In a post-race interview, co-trainer Ed Crisford said: "It was a huge display and a big performance.
"I thought the filly's turn of foot was fantastic and I thought we weren't going to claw her back, but to be fair to him he's stuck to his guns and stuck his head down and he's a really high-quality colt.
"We were behind a few horses and I saw Andrea looking for a gap and he couldn't quite find a gap and I was half-thinking 'oh no we're not getting out here and Ramatuelle's gone for home'. But once he got out he's picked up really well in that ground and he's a proper horse with a big future, hopefully.
"He's done nothing wrong in three races and he's by a very good stallion in Havana Grey."
Paddy Power have shortened Vandeek from 11/2 to 7/2 for the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes and it appears to be the next target for the improving colt.
"He could go further in time, but I think he's got so much speed being by Havana Grey that we'll aim for the Middle Park and then take it from there," added Crisford.
