The gelding was then stepped up in class for the Group 3 Prix de Lutèce over 3000 metres at Longchamp on 6 September and started the 3/1 second favourite behind the Godolphin runner Big Blue.
After racing at the rear of the field he moved up on the outside in the straight, took the lead 200 metres from the finish and won "a shade cosily" by one and a half lengths from Big Blue.
[9] On his return to Europe the gelding started the 2/7 favourite for the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier at Saint-Cloud on 29 May and won by three quarters of a length from Fly With Me after taking the lead in the last 100 metres.
[10] On 3 July the gelding was dropped back in trip for the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud for which he started favourite but came home seventh, two and a half lengths behind the winner Silverwave after being outpaced in the closing stages.
He came from the rear of the field on the final turn to take the lead 200 metres and held off the challenge of the five-year-old Nahual (to whom he was conceding nine pounds) by a short neck.
After being restrained towards the rear as usual, Vazirabad move up to join the leaders in the straight went to the front 200 metres from the finish and won by one and three quarter lengths from the filly Endless Time despite being eased down by Soumillon in the final strides.
[14] As in the previous year, Vazirabad began his 2017 at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, finishing second to Beautiful Romance in the Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy on his seasonal debut on 23 February.
[15] Only two horses opposed Vazirabad in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier at Chantilly in May and he won by a short neck from the German challenger Sirius after being forced to make the running for most of the way.
[19] On 22 October the gelding attempted to win a third Prix Royal Oak, but despite starting the 8/15 favourite he was beaten into second place by the three-year-old colt Ice Breeze.
[20] Vazirabad returned to Dubai for his first two races of 2018 beginning his campaign by finishing second to Rare Rhythm in the Nad Al Sheba Trophy at Meydan on 1 March.
[23] On 21 June Vazirabad raced in England for the first time when he started the 9/2 third choice in the betting for the Gold Cup over two and a half miles at Royal Ascot.
Restrained by Soumillon as usual in the early stages he joined the leaders in the straight and finished second, three quarters of a length behind Stradivarius with Torcedor taking third ahead of Order of St George.