It goes without saying that the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe has stood the test of time as one of the world’s greatest horse races and this year shapes as no exception.
The Arc is not only one of the most prestigious and important 2400m races in the world, it is also at the heart of one of my favourite racedays. Sadly, I am unable to travel to Paris for this year’s edition – which happens to be the 100th – but, like many others stranded by the pandemic, I will be there in spirit.
The Arc attracts the best of the best in the most perfect setting. And, so it is this year.
Sunday marks the latest edition of the Arc at its spiritual home – ParisLongchamp Racecourse – after a short sabbatical at Chantilly to allow for construction projects at Longchamp.
It will be wonderful to watch a truly cosmopolitan field charge down the vast expanses at Longchamp, vying for glory in a contest the French describe not so much as a race as a “monument.”
Normally, I would make the trip from Hong Kong to Paris to soak up the wondrous experience of the world’s finest horses over the Classic distance of a mile and a half, crossing swords for career-defining glory.
The Arc has again attracted an assembly of stars – Breeders Cup winner Tarnawa, Epsom Derby champion Adayar, fellow Godolphin runner Hurricane Lane and Aidan O’Brien’s outstanding filly Snowfall form the upper echelon of combatants.
O’Brien also has Broome and last season’s gun filly Love, William Haggas is represented by Alenquer, while Japan’s crusade for its first-ever Arc triumph is headed by Chrono Genesis – a half-sister to Normcore – and Deep Bond.
Our customers should pay close attention to the ground conditions in Longchamp which are very important because, unlike in Hong Kong, the ground can become very testing. While a low draw is an advantage, Charlie Appleby is not too concerned with the draw numbers for his horses (Adayar and Hurricane Lane) in case the track is rated as soft because he believes stamina is more important in this case.
The forecast is for at least a soft track which will be a disadvantage for Tarnawa, who is a fantastic five-year-old mare and the choice of Christophe Soumillon since over a year to win the Arc. While she won the Prix de l’Opera last year on heavy ground, her best form is on good ground. I still have her at least as a place chance.
Staying with the fillies, Chrono Genesis is untested on soft to heavy ground and, while her rider Oisin Murphy is very happy with her, the ground is likely to find her out.
Snowfall, which will be ridden by Ryan Moore, is the opposite and she handles the soft ground very well. Her last start when finishing only second on good ground in Longchamps was a little disappointing, but with the softer ground I have her still as a place chance.
Adayar, who is the choice of William Buick, was very impressive in the Derby on good to soft ground and won the King George very convincingly against Mishriff. His draw in gate 11 is not ideal and he had a little setback with an infection of his hind leg but he is still a win and place chance.
His strongest opponent is his stable companion Hurricane Lane who loves soft ground and has an ability to quicken. He would be the first horse in the 100 years history of the race to win the Arc after winning the St Leger – a feat even the great Nijinsky in 1970 could not achieve. He is ideally drawn in get two and with James Doyle on board I see him as a win and place chance, too.
The Arc is the second portion of the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s fabulous Sunday offering of horseracing riches, following the Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama, where Danon Smash chases more Group 1 glory over 1200m.
I was delighted with the Club’s National Day results at Sha Tin on Friday (1 October) with record turnover of $1.632 billion, a healthy crowd of 16,861 and the emergence of several exciting young horses, including Nervous Witness – who is the real deal – Lord Thunder and Super Wealthy.
It is no coincidence all three are trained by David Hayes, who returned to Hong Kong racing last season and is now having the impact the Club expects of a world-class trainer.
It will be fascinating to see how Nervous Witness progresses over the next few months, while Super Wealthy proved his worthiness against seasoned Hong Kong sprinters, including runner-up Sky Field – who rocketed over the last 400m in 21.37s – to stamp his credentials for the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) at December’s LONGINES Hong Kong International Races.
Speaking of Nervous Witness and sectionals, his ability to reel off a 19.84s split between the 800m-400m and then storm away from his pursuers marked him out as an exceptional prospect.
These are truly exciting times for horseracing.
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