The G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (2400m) is frequently rated the best race globally and this year it is another excellent and exciting renewal. G1 Prix du Jockey Club (2100m) hero Vadeni and G1 Grand Prix de Paris (2400m) winner Onesto head up the home contingent, however this open-looking race has plenty of top-class international raiders including Luxembourg from Ireland. We preview the big race.
Some claim this may not be a vintage Arc, but no-one could argue it is not a competitive one with a good set of three-year-olds taking on their older rivals along with a quality international contingent headed by four classy Japanese runners, the German winner of the Arc last year and multiple runners from England and Ireland.
The Aidan O'Brien trained Luxembourg (drawn 8) is the current favourite. He is a horse the stable has always held in high esteem. Earlier this season he suffered a slight injury, recovered and last start lived up to his potential winning the Irish Champion Stakes (G1) over 2000m at Leopardstown three weeks ago. This was a strong, impressive win, and Luxembourg a twice on soft going winner is a worthy favourite. The stable will also have Broome (gate 14) in the race.
Two French horses ran second and third in the Irish Champion Stakes and both will be competing in the Arc. Longchamp course and distance Grand Prix de Paris (G1) victor Onesto (drawn 11) finished second and continues to be progressive as the weeks move on. With the three-year-old weight allowance he is a horse not to be dismissed. In 2020 Sottsass, trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, finished fourth in the Irish Champion Stakes before winning the Arc three weeks later. This year the master trainer saddles Prix du Jockey Club (G1) winner Vadeni (drawn 2) where he finished third beaten 1.75L. He has won over 2100m in the Prix du Jockey Club but has yet to race further, however, on breeding the 2400m of the Arc should suit with his paternal grandsire being Galileo and maternal grandsire Monsun. His dam won to 2300m.
Japan has had plenty of attempts at winning the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and this year nominates multiple horses. Four are in the field – Titleholder (10), Do Deuce (3), Stay Foolish (20) and Deep Bond (5). Titleholder arrives with strong credentials having won all three races this season in Japan including two G1 races. His 7L win (a further 8L to third) attempting the Teno Sho (G1) over 3200m in May was breath-taking defeating re-opposing rival Deep Bond. He arrived in France last Friday. Do Deuce ran in the Prix Niel (G2) a fortnight ago however, after making a run, failed to go on in the last 100m to be beaten 3.75L. He will be better for the outing. Stay Foolish ran a solid race at Deauville finishing second in the Grand Prix de Deauville (G2) a month ago.
The mare beginning to capture the public's attention is Alpinista (6). She has the most imposing record of any runner in the race and her statistics speak for themselves. Nine starts over 2400m, including her past seven for seven victories and five Group One races in succession – three in Germany followed by the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud in Paris in July and last start the Yorkshire Oaks in August. There is a lot to like about her. She has won on both soft and heavy going.
Last year Torquator Tasso (18) shocked everyone winning the Arc at a huge price. Could he do it again? A year older and without the three-year-old weight allowance he was a head second in the Grosser Preis von Baden three weeks ago, a race he won last year. This season Mendocino (1) won the race and this four-year-old will now take his place in the final field on Sunday.
