They will gallop at more than 60 km/h for a little over 2 minutes over 2,400 meters to win the Holy Grail of galloping races: sixteen thoroughbreds of prestigious origins, French, Irish, English and Japanese, including the defending champion Daryz, will compete on Sunday in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp. This inter-generational race, sponsored by Qatar, offers 5 million euros in allocation, including more than 2.8 million to the winner.
What if Daryz, from the prestigious breeding of the Aga Khan family, achieved a rare double two consecutive years in the world galloping championship, like Ribot (1955-56), Trêve (2013-14) or Enable (2017-18)?
The strength of Frenchman Daryz: “his devastating acceleration”, commented trainer Francis-Henry Graffard during a press conference. In one year, this physically imposing 4-year-old male “has gained a lot of strength and is reaching maturity,” he said. His box companion, Varandir won the Prix Niel, a preparatory race and “has the right to try his luck, to be competitive”. Newmarket's English trainer William Haggas will bank on Maltese Cross who proved his speed during his victory in the Paris Grand Prix. “He improved throughout the season,” he revealed.
Aidan O'Brien power 3
Three starters for legendary Irish master trainer Aidan O'Brien: Minnie Hauk, Daryz's runner-up last year, "had foot problems during the season, we weren't too hard on her, her goal remains the Arc," said the man from Ballydoyle. Diamond Necklace, winner of the Prix de Diane in the spring, “has never run 2,400 meters and works well in the morning,” he said.
His 3rd cartridge, Benvenuto Cellini is “a fairly tough, versatile horse with good action and hold. He needs a rhythmic race. “The Arc is a very special, historic race,” recalled the 33-year-old professional, Joseph O'Brien, a son of Aidan O'Brien, based in the south-east of Ireland, near Kilkenny, responsible for around 200 horses. His student Thundering On has “holding and speed, good acceleration and relaxes very well during the course”.
Kalpana, 9th last year in the Arc, trained by the Englishman Andrew Balding, will be the only representative of the prestigious Juddmonte stable. “We kept her in training to race the Arc,” explained Barry Mahon, managing director for Ireland and head of European racing for the Juddmonte team. “His whole path this year has been perfect. Kalpana is in great shape,” he said.
The Japanese dream
What if Japan won its first awaited coronation in 57 years in 38 attempts? The gray thoroughbred Admire Terra takes up this challenge for the 3rd attempt from trainer Yasuo Tomomichi who “dreams of winning this special race”. “My experiences made me think about the Longchamp field. Admire Terra has long strides, endurance and speed,” analyzed Yasuo Tomomichi who will entrust his student to the Italian Cristian Demuro. “He won two Arcs, he knows how to win!”
Cristian Demuro tested the horse on the ParisLongchamp course which involves uphill and downhill unlike in Japan where the tracks are flat and fast. “Admire Terra showed good track aptitude. He has a good swing and accelerates well,” judged the 34-year-old jockey.
The Land of the Rising Sun will also try its luck with Meisho Tabaru, ridden by Yutaka Take. At 57, he “still dreams of a victory and his motivation is still there”. “He will try to put Admire Terra in the lead, he likes that,” said his coach Mamoru Ishibashi. Watch out for Friendly Soul, thanks to her victory in the Prix Vermeille, a preparatory event, her entourage “supplemented” her, only registered on Wednesday.
This galloping world championship will mark the last lap of the track for trainer Jean-Claude Rouget, double winner of the Arc, soon to retire. He will saddle Arrow Eagle for Ioriz Mendizabal.
