French Racing - Review of Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe

Winning machine, Alpinista maintained her unprecedented form recording an eighth consecutive success (including six at the top-level) winning the biggest race of the year in France, the 2022 G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (2400m).

The maximum field of 20 all broke well from the stalls. In the driving rain there was an enthusiastic cheer from the crowd and shortly after the start jockey Kazuo Yokoyama onboard Titleholder adopted the role of pacesetter pushing the four-year-old forward to be the lead heading up the main group on the inside rail. Six runners stayed down the centre of the back straight briefly with Broome gradually directing toward merging with the main field. Racing along the back of the course, the 20 runners were now all in one group, however the strong early pace set by Titleholder had produced a gap of fifteen lengths between first and last. 

Luke Morris settled Alpinista early in fifth position on the rail around five lengths off the leader, a good place to be as the race developed. The tempo set by Titleholder – who was being pressed by Broome – continued to be strong and this increased further as the field reached the top of the track. At the 1200m marker going through halfway, the speed of the race was beginning to slow with most jockey's silks being covered in mud and the gap growing to 20 lengths covering the field. Frankie Dettori had to nudge away briefly onboard last year's winner, Torquator Tasso who reached a flat spot as the pace was so strong considering the ground and weather conditions.

Travelling along the false straight Titleholder maintained his front-running position with Broome a close second but driven along. Al Hakeem was catching the eye moving forward strongly as was the eventual winner, Alpinista. From the back of the field, Torquator Tasso, Mostahdaf and Vadeni were all beginning to make good headway upon entering the home straight.

The cutaway rail greeted the field with 450m to go, and Titleholder dived towards the inside, but it was Alpinista who was travelling much the better and patiently Luke Morris allowed the mare to take second at the 400m pole. Al Hakeem, Vadeni and Torquator Tasso were all making significant progress and lining up to provide potential challengers.

The five-year-old daughter of Frankel, Alpinista was beginning to revel in the autumnal conditions as she went to the front with ease and swept past the pace setter with 300m to go. Vadeni and Torquator Tasso were charging home with the latter coming from well back, however it was Alpinista who bravely kept on fighting to win the biggest race of the year in France, the 2022 G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (2400m).

Vadeni just managed to see out second beaten half a length and was a neck ahead of Torquator Tasso in third. Al Hakeem (fourth), Grand Glory (fifth), Westover (sixth) and Luxembourg (seventh) all ran good races in behind and proved best of the rest. 

Further international travels could be an option for the winning mare including a potential trip to either the Breeders' Cup or Japan Cup (which could see her collect a prize-money bonus if she wins again in Japan) before a likely retirement next year. Homebred by Kirsten Rausing, this mare has provided Sir Mark Prescott, training at Heath House stables in the UK, a rare international race win. Despite the success of Alpinista around Europe these past twelve months, the trainer's intent has been to keep most runners in the UK. Alpinista has certainly bucked that trend providing great moments for the UK based connections. Sir Mark had previously trained a number of Alpinista's family members.

Official result of the 2022 G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (2400m)

1              Alpinista   

2              Vadeni   

3              Torquator Tasso   

4              Al Hakeem   

5              Grand Glory  

6              Westover   

7              Luxembourg   

8              Broome   

9              Alenquer

10           Onesto  

11           Titleholder 

12           Mendocino 

13           Mishriff

14           Stay Foolish   

15           Mare Australis   

16           Sealiway  

17           Bubble Gift

18           Deep Bond   

19           Do Deuce   

20           Mostahdaf