Only twice in his 16 starts has the Archie Watson-trained four-year-old ever been out of the first three, but more impressive is that 10 of those runs have ended in victory – in five different countries, and counting. On Saturday, his 2024 debut resulted in a win in the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup in Qatar, a local Group 2 staged during the HH The Amir Sword meeting. 

Brave Emperor, owned by the members of the Middleham Park Racing LX syndicate, held off the globally famous colours of Coolmore's Derrick Smith, carried by runner-up Cairo (Quality Road), with an equally renowned set of colours on the third horse, Godolphin's Real World (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}).

“I've run out of superlatives,” says Middleham Park Racing's Tom Palin of the horse who is a syndicator's dream. “I've described him in every which way I possibly can. Hero, legend, dude. I don't think we've ever quite had a horse like him, and I don't think many trainers or owners could ever dream of having a horse like him. He can go on good to firm or heavy, and he has won over five, six, seven, eight, and nine furlongs.”

This time last year, Brave Emperor recorded his first stakes success on his first foray outside the British Isles when winning the Listed Prix de la Californie at Cagnes-sur-Mer. He then set about clocking up points on the European Road to the Kentucky Derby, winning a qualifying conditions race at Kempton before finishing second in the final leg of the series at Chelmsford in the Cardinal S.

The Run for the Roses was probably sensibly ruled out, but Brave Emperor and Archie Watson's travelling team continued the globetrotting a little closer to home, with victory in the G3 Grosser Preis der Wohnstatte Krefeld next on the horse's agenda, followed by third in the G3 Stockholms Stora Pris. Royal Ascot and his run out the back in the G3 Hampton Court S. was really the only blip in an otherwise exemplary season, and he recovered from that to win four of his five subsequent starts, including the G2 Premio Vittorio di Capua, G3 Prix Daphnis and G3 Grosser Preis der Landeshauptstadt Dusseldorf. Luke Morris has been Brave Emperor's regular partner in all bar three of this starts, and the pair could be off to Hong Kong next for the G1 FWD Champions Mile and a pop at superstar Golden Sixty (Aus).

“He's been invited out there at the end of April and that looks the route that we'll travel with him,” Palin confirms. ” It's a $2.5 million race. I think we probably have to finish about sixth or better to get our declaration fee back. And look, he's very versatile. We know Hong Kong can throw up varying ground states, so you wouldn't be going there terribly worried about whatever the underfoot conditions are. But obviously, it's a race Golden Sixty's made his own.”

He added, “That was a career best there on Saturday, so it feels a sensible race to be going for at this point. And we know he takes traveling very well. Obviously, it'd be a bit different because he's got the quarantine procedures to go through there for five days before and five days allowed on the track, so it'd be a bit longer than what he's used to, but if there's ever a horse you're just going to go, 'Look, he'll travel fine', it's him, isn't it?”

With Brave Emperor set to arrive back in the UK on Wednesday followed by a brief spell at Hillwood Stud, Palin outlines some of the key mile contests in Europe as possible targets after his potential Hong Kong voyage. The Prix d'Ispahan, Lockinge and Queen Anne S. are all under consideration during the first half of the European season. It's a bold call, but this is a horse who clearly thrives on his racing, as his 11 runs from January to November last year showed.

“I think he's just growing up with racing as well,” says Palin. “He's figuring out what the game's about. Obviously, Luke's been on board him for the vast majority of his career now and he feels he's getting faster, he's getting smarter about his racing, which is why I think even the [Prix de la] Foret, back a furlong at some point wouldn't be a bad thing with him. 

“Louis Wicks looks after him every day, he knows him inside out, and he says the horse is just so easy to do at home. That has to help with his consistency. He doesn't over-exert himself on a day-to-day basis.”

Palin insists that Brave Emperor's earnings, which have now exceeded £500,000, pale in comparison to the experience he's providing his loyal band of owners who have enjoyed some exciting foreign trips of their own. It also makes his yearling price tag of £19,000, when bought at Goffs UK by Rodrigo Goncalves and Robson Aguiar, look incredibly reasonable.

“We had 14 people over there in Doha on Saturday and they couldn't have looked after us any better,” he says. “Everybody had a fantastic time, and that's what it's all about, dinners and drinks with not just fellow owners, we've become friends, and all thanks to the wonderful Brave Emperor. That's the great thing about this game, you formulate great friendships. We have a couple of two-year-olds now with Archie and, sure enough, the money Brave Emperor's earned his owners has now paid for their shares in the others. They're rolling the dice again into them.”

Palin adds, “I can't take any credit really for any of the placement, it's all been Archie. He's placed him to a tee, superb. And obviously the team who travels him around – Louis has been great.”

Brave Emperor is a member of the first crop of Sioux Nation, Coolmore's son of Scat Daddy who has perhaps been a little overshadowed when it comes to recognition. He was of course in the same graduating year as Havana Grey (GB) and was behind him in both the first- and second-season sires' championships of the last two years. It's nip and tuck between the pair when it comes to comparing stakes performers, however. In 2023, Havana Grey's offspring were headed by the dual Group 1 winner Vandeek (GB), one of his 16 black-type winners overall, compared to 13 for Sioux Nation. But it is Sioux Nation who is ahead when it comes to Group winners, with nine on the board to Havana Grey's seven.

Thanks to the exploits of Brave Emperor, Sioux Nation currently heads the list of European third-crop sires by worldwide earnings at this early point in the year, and he has Matilda Picotte (Ire) flying the flag for him and Ireland in Saturday's G2 1351 Turf Sprint at the Saudi Cup meeting. She is also a Group 2 winner, in the Challenge S. at Newmarket, where she also won the Listed Bosra Sham S. and was third in the 1,000 Guineas. Her stakes wins are completed by the G3 Sceptre S. at Doncaster. 

Last year's G3 Acomb S. winner Indian Run (Ire) is a potential Classic challenger for this season, while in the TDN on Monday Kieran Lalor outlined plans to send Group 3 winner Ocean Jewel (Ire) to race in America for Al Shira'aa Farms.

Of course, Sioux Nation's achievements have not exactly gone under the radar, and his fee in 2024 of €27,500 is more than double his starting point at stud, but it will be interesting to follow his progress, especially if he can come up with horses as tough as Brave Emperor. The sire can't take sole credit for the 10-time winner, however. A first foal, Brave Emperor's 55-rated dam Roman Gal (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) was nothing to write home about as a racehorse but she is a half-sister to the G1 Coronation Cup and G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagaradere runner-up Salouen (Ire) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}), and her granddam Asterita (GB) (Rainbow Quest) won the Lingfield Oaks Trial. Further back again the family includes some prolific black-type earners in champion miler Keltos (Fr) and his half-siblings Krataios (Fr), Loxias (Fr), Iridanos (GB) and Kavafi (Ire). Together the quintet notched 38 wins between them from 97 starts. That hardiness, with more than a dash of talent, is echoing down the line.

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A winner of the King's Stand S. this term, the Victorious Racing runner was due to be ridden by Luke Morris, as his regular rider Hollie Doyle is serving a suspension.

Europeans are still strongly represented in the Santa Anita affair, however, as G1 Nunthorpe S. hero Live In the Dream (Ire) (Prince Of Lir {Ire}) is still signed on, as is Aesop's Fables (Ire) (No Nay Never).

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Pedigree Notes

Brave Emperor is the first foal out of Roman Gal, a half-sister to the Listed Buckhounds S. winner and G1 Coronation Cup runner-up Salouen (Ire) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}). From the family of the G1 Lockinge S. hero Keltos (Fr) (Kendor {Fr}) and fellow sire Loxias (Fr) (Saumarez {GB}), her 2-year-old filly by Inns Of Court (Ire) is named Puella Law (Ire).

Friday, Krefeld, Germany
GROSSER PREIS DER WOHNSTATTE KREFELD – DR BUSCH-MEMORIAL-G3, €55,000, Krefeld, 4-28, 3yo, 8 1/2fT, 1:48.52, g/s.
1–BRAVE EMPEROR (IRE), 128, g, 3, by Sioux Nation
     1st Dam: Roman Gal (Ire), by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire)
     2nd Dam: Gali Gal (Ire), by Galileo (Ire)
     3rd Dam: Asterita (GB), by Rainbow Quest
1ST GROUP WIN. (£19,000 Ylg '21 DBSPRM). O-Middleham Park Racing LX; B-Caroline Hanly & Sean Ronan (IRE); T-Archie Watson; J-Luke Morris. €32,000. Lifetime Record: SW-Fr, 9-6-2-0, €159,862. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Arcandi (Ger), 128, c, 3, Zarak (Fr)–Santanna (Fr), by Country Reel. O/B-Gestut Ebbesloh (GER); T-Peter Schiergen. €12,000.
3–Lips Freedom (Ger), 128, c, 3, Free Eagle (Ire)–Lips Arrow (Ger), by Big Shuffle. O-Stall Lintec; B-Stall Parthenaue (GER); T-Andreas Suborics. €6,000.
Margins: 2HF, 4HF, 1 1/4. Odds: 1.40, 8.30, 7.50.
Also Ran: Aspirant (Ger), Saint Cloud (Ger), Dressman (Ger), Nerion (Ger), Vale Rainbow (Ger), Montanus (Ger).

Brave Emperor is now a 6-time winner, over multiple distances, including at Listed and now Group 3 level!

He was a private 2yo purchase from @bloodst_aguiar and is by @coolmorestud stallion Sioux Nation.

What a horse! #TeamMPR

pic.twitter.com/lWMmufQhcl

— Middleham Park Racing (@MprUpdates) April 28, 2023

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Ironically, 2022 was by one measure his least successful season for the last 12 years, as his final tally was 'only' 103 winners. But it was of course his most significantly prestigious year, with his gallant grey partner providing him with three Group 1 victories, in France and Britain, to add to the trio of German Group 1 titles collected the previous year, culminating in one of the most emotional Arc victories in living memory. 

“Going to Longchamp on that day, I'm realistic enough, I know I'm not really going to ride a favourite or a second favourite probably in the Arc again in my career,” he reflects. “So I was very relaxed about it and I just wanted to enjoy the day, enjoy the moment. And I'd gone through everything with a fine-tooth comb, and I just wanted to leave no stone unturned. Because you only get one shot at these sort of things. So it was so nice when everything worked out exactly how we hoped and how we planned, really.”

Alpinista is not, of course, the only good horse with whom Morris has been associated in a riding career which is heading towards the 20-year mark. Gilt Edge Girl (GB) (Monsieur Bond {Ire}) was his first Group 1 winner, at the same track, for Clive Cox in the Prix de l'Abbaye back in 2010. Six years later he was back at 'lucky Longchamp' to claim the same race aboard the Prescott-trained Marsha (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}). That lightning-fast filly would go on to win another two group races the following year, including the G1 Nunthorpe S., but even her achievements must pale slightly when set against the record of Alpinista, on whose dam Alwilda (GB) (Hernando {Fr}) Morris won three races, and whose grand-dam Albanova (GB) (Alzao) was another to heap Group 1 successes on Prescott's Heath House Stables.

Morris says, “I've ridden lots of the dams of the fillies we get from Lanwades and Miss Rausing. And, for me, it was hugely rewarding to be able to almost repay the faith that Sir Mark and Miss Rausing had put into me by giving me the job with Sir Mark at a very young age. I think it was only my second year out of my claim and I had ridden a Group 1 winner but I hadn't had many opportunities in big races. Sir Mark gave me opportunities for big owner-breeders at a young stage of my career. And to be able to repay him and Miss Rausing was something special to me.”

An Arc victory would be a highlight on any jockey's CV, but one senses that Morris takes pride in every winner. Last week he reached another important milestone in his career when riding his 2,000th winner in Britain, a feat which has only been achieved by five other jockeys currently riding in the country: Frankie Dettori, Joe Fanning, Paul Hanagan, Ryan Moore and Jamie Spencer.

“Last year was a year I'll never forget,” he says. “And to ride 2,000 winners has been on my radar for probably a couple of years now. There are five or six other jockeys who are still riding who have done it and I think just about every one of them has been a champion jockey. So it's something I'm immensely proud of, and it just spurs me on to keep working harder to ride more winners, and to try and ride good winners as well.”

It is hard to imagine how Morris would find the time to work harder than he does already. While many of his contemporaries in the weighing-room are enjoying less taxing winter-riding gigs in warmer climes, he is driving through the freezing fog currently engulfing Britain to take full books of rides on the all-weather tracks. As we speak, he is about to head to Southwell's evening meeting to ride six horses for six different trainers. It is the kind of punishing schedule a jockey on the way up must adhere to if the rides are available, but the tall, lean Morris, now 34, has long since proved his worth. His right foot does not look like it will be easing off the accelerator any time soon, however. 

“Weight-wise, I'm quite lucky in that I naturally sit around 8st 4, so generally I don't have to sweat or lose too much weight, but being busy all the time just means I never really get the chance to put any weight on, so that suits me well,” he says. “And since I first started out, from my first, probably even before my first ride, I always had a fear of failure. So I've never given myself a chance to fail, really.

“I remember the days when I was 12 or 13, I used to ride out every day before school for Michael Bell, and even when we had the six-week summer holidays, I told my parents I wouldn't be allowed a day off. Because it was more important that I was in there riding out every day, rather than going on a family holiday.”

Plenty of parents would be delighted to see a similar work ethic in their teenage children, and Morris's dedicated approach is clearly one which sits well with his long-term employer, who expects loyalty from those connected to his stable, but gives the same in return.

“Sir Mark has had three jockeys in 53 years of training,” notes Morris, who followed George Duffield and Seb Sanders in the role. “He expects you to be extremely professional, to work hard, and he's the same. So, like I say, I can't thank Sir Mark enough for what he's done for my career, and I'd like to think riding for him, since I joined him, I've stepped up my game, because his traits have rubbed off on me. We've got some really nice yearlings this year from good owner-breeders again, so you just hope that there's going to be another good one along soon.”

In the meantime, Morris is using what little spare time he has to nurture his own breeding ambitions. He spent the December Mares' Sale pounding the yards at Tattersalls in search of a mare with the help of Joseph Burke.

“After Alpinista won the Arc, I said I'd treat myself to a relatively nice broodmare,” he explains. “We saw some [at Tattersalls], and we underbid a few but didn't have much luck. So Joe went off to Arqana and we got a mare called Clara Luna.”

Clara Luna (Ire), a daughter of Muhtathir (GB) and half-sister to the G2 Prix Muguet winner Don Bosco (Fr) (Barathea {Ire}), has already produced the GIII Pin Oak Valley View S. winner Colonia (Fr) (Champs Elysees {GB}). The name of another Arc winner, Enable (GB), appears under her third dam, Fleet Girl (Ire), who was an early acquisition for Prince Khalid Abdullah when he bought Ferrans Stud in 1982. And a touch of loyalty to Lanwades is exhibited by the fact that Clara Luna was bought in foal to Sea The Moon (Ger).

“I've been interested in bloodstock and racing since I was six years old and I've been wanting to get a mare, but when the time was right. So she stays at home for most of the year and then will go off to foal. It's hugely exciting on a different spectrum, really,” says Morris.

“I hadn't met Joe before, but he'd come highly recommended and I spent a week walking around the mares with him before I went racing every day. I couldn't believe how much I learnt in a week walking around with him, because I might know a bit about form, but looking at mares I was a little bit lost and Joe taught me plenty in that week. I don't really have many hobbies outside racing, so it's my hobby, not that it's really outside of racing, but it feels that way.”

He adds, “Once she foals to Sea The Moon, she'll return to Study Of Man, who is obviously a son of Deep Impact, and from what Saxon Warrior has done, we very much hope that he'll follow that path. I studied the Return of Mares, and Miss Rausing's sent some good mares to him, so hopefully he can reward her and reward everyone that supports him.”

Morris may yet have the pleasure of riding the offspring of Study Of Man and Alpinista, with Rausing having stated that the mare would visit the young stallion during her second season after a potential first mating with Dubawi (Ire).

Luke Morris, age seven, with Flemensfirth

Along with a fledgling equine breeding project, Morris has his own young family to keep him busy, and his 13-month-old son Henry has already taken to the saddle in the hunting field over Christmas. The jockey's own passion for horses was sparked when he moved to Newmarket at the age of six and walked to school alongside the town's horse walks as members of the racing community went about their daily work. Before long, he was one of them.

“My stepdad worked for John Gosden and he used to look after Flemensfirth and ride him every day. So every day of the school holidays, I used to go and watch Flemensfirth swim, and give him a pat, and it almost felt like I was part of the team then. So that was probably where I really got hooked,” he recalls.

“I've always had a passion for horse racing. If wasn't a jockey, I'd be a massive horse racing fan because I love horses, and I just feel lucky that I've found something to do as a career that is very much like a hobby to me.”

That old saying may go, 'do something that you love and you'll never work a day in your life,' but don't be fooled. It is hard work that got Luke Morris to where he is today, and hard work will doubtless keep him at the top of his profession for years to come. That he derives so much pleasure from that position is a much-deserved benefit. 

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Morris claimed the ninth Group 1 winner of his career when guiding Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}) to G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe glory at ParisLongchamp last October for Sir Mark Prescott.

And it was Prescott, who has been Morris's boss for 11 years, who came in for special praise, along with his agent Neil Allen, after the rider passed the important landmark at Southwell.

Speaking to Sky Sports Racing, Morris said, “I can't thank my agent [Neil Allen], Sir Mark [Prescott] and all the many owners enough. I'm very fortunate that I have been involved with some very loyal people.

“I've been with Neil since I had my first winner. He's more like a really good mate than an agent and I speak to him more than I do my missus. He works extremely hard. We're very alike. We've been working together for 16 or 17 years and we're as hungry for winners as ever. I can't thank him enough. Also, Michael Bell, who I was apprentice for, Stan Moore and Sir Mark. There's many others–far too many to mention.”

Career highlights for Morris include victory in the 2017 G1 Coolmore Nunthorpe S. at York with Marsha (Ire). He also enjoyed a Royal Ascot winner in the 2016 G2 Norfolk S. aboard Prince Of Lir (Ire) for trainer Robert Cowell.

The 34-year-old added, “I genuinely wanted to be a jockey since I was six years old so I wanted to make sure that I never left anything behind. It's been wonderful. I couldn't have dreamt of a better year last year and I'm just trying to find another one now.

“I actually rode my first winner here in a Banded race so we started off very small. I was with Michael Bell, who I had been with since I was 12 years old, and he sent me away for two winters which was the making of me. It probably made me. I've been lucky enough to ride for Sir Mark for 11 years now and he has had a huge bearing on my career.”

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Though he currently sits on 94 winners for the year, Morris has brought up better than 100 each year since 2011.

Eight of Morris's nine career Group 1 winners has come for Alpinista's trainer Sir Mark Prescott, who told Sporting Life: “Its a great tribute to his professionalism, reliability and work ethic. The eight Group 1 winners he has ridden for me show how good he is on the big day as well. However, both he and I have somewhere to go before we reach the 700-plus winners George Duffield rode for me!”

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Taking the eye throughout as she made easy work of the swiftly-deteriorating conditions under Luke Morris, who had been in action on the all-weather at Wolverhampton the night before, the 10-3 favourite waited with all the learned patience of such a beautifully-nurtured 5-year-old for the quartet in front to feel the pinch. As that inevitably happened, there followed a few glorious moments as she came to embody her owner-breeder's life's labour in this sphere and Sir Mark Prescott's unique art of equine education and care.

Although the homebred had arrived on the lead with Morris sitting motionless, her last 1 1/2 furlongs in front were not without tension as Vadeni (Fr) (Churchill {Ire}) chased her hard to the line along with last year's hero Torquator Tasso (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}). Despite the sterling efforts of The Aga Khan's Jockey Club and Eclipse hero and Auenquelle's German flagship, this was a result already carved into the precious stone that adorns Prescott's storied Heath House stables. At the line, the mare had bridged a surprising 85-year gap to the last of her age and sex to achieve glory in the famed Corrida, denying Vadeni by half a length and Torquator Tasso by a further neck.

“It's absolutely marvellous and an enormous relief,” Prescott said. “Luke has ridden for us for 11 years and Miss Rausing has had horses with me for 36, so I'm just very lucky. I trained her grandmother and it's hard to think of a better day. You felt she was always going to win, but it was a relief when she got there. It's a wonderful change to have one that can really go and she has been perfect. The race went like a dream. If it hadn't been my horse, I would have thought it was going to win every inch of the way, but when it's your own of course it's a nightmare. I didn't think all that rain would help, but she's never travelled better and has come on with each race.”

Morris added, “Things went lovely and smooth–I had all the confidence in her and she's not put a foot wrong. She is so versatile and so tough and I couldn't believe how well she was going–I had to take her back two out. She dug very deep for me and was very tough when I needed her. This is the pinnacle of my career–there are not many times when I'm teary-eyed, but I was having to hold back the tears today. Sir Mark's had an unbelievable effect on my career and is an unbelievable trainer and person, so I'm honoured to ride for him. Miss Rausing is a very generous lady with what she's done for the sport and I'm very fortunate.”

Alpinista, who started her career with a shot across the bows at Epsom in July 2019, skipped over ground officially described as firm when winning her first black-type race, Salisbury's Listed Upavon Fillies' S., the following August before chasing home Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) a week later in the G1 Yorkshire Oaks. Remarkably, her next start was her last defeat as Antonia De Vega (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) mastered her in Newmarket's G3 Princess Royal S. a month later and even the biggest dreamer could not have predicted what was to follow.

Foot-perfect through the 2021 G2 Lancashire Oaks and the path of the Grosser Preis von Berlin-Preis von Europa-Grosser Preis Von Bayern Group 1 treble laid down by her second dam Albanova (GB) (Alzao), all reasoned knowledge accepted that the grey had probably used up all her career's fortune at that stage. Alpinista knew better, however, and her pursuit of a personal coronation among her incredible dynasty of Alruccaba (Ire) (Crystal Palace {Fr}) grew ever more impatient as she dashed several Arc hopes on her return in the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. Her next stop back in the Yorkshire Oaks could have been her apex, but now we know that was just a launchpad to this key moment.

While the Arc is no stranger to testing ground and autumnal framing, this edition was really something else with the turf and soil flying from an early stage and many visibly struggling before halfway. As expected, the Japanese wonder Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) was sent forward with Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}) predictably on his case and after the first minute of action the order was settled. Rouget's Al Hakeem (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) was well placed in third, with Alpinista tracking him and by the time they reached the false straight the conditions had truly separated the haves and the have-nots.

Surprisingly, Vadeni who carried perhaps the greatest stamina doubts into the race and who would arguably not been placed in the line-up had connections been able to foresee the amount of rain in the final minutes of the build-up was the one who came out of the pack with the most gusto. While his progress though the mud was hardly smooth, it was as dynamic as it gets in this kind of terrain and for a brief spell Alpinista looked vulnerable. Soumillon gave his all and Frankie managed to get Torquator Tasso close enough, but the grey had the stars aligned for her and her uncanny streak proved unbreakable.

She has now earned a berth in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland in November, should connections wish it. The only remaining question is whether the Alpinista story is at an end and both Prescott and Rausing were non-committal afterwards. “Can she go on again? I don't know what Ms. Rausing will do,” the trainer said. There's the [G1] Japan Cup and the [GI] Breeders' Cup [Turf] to consider, so we'll see.”

Her owner-breeder added, “She will come back to our stud next year. As for the Breeders' Cup or the Japan Cup, we want to go home and talk about it.”

Vadeni fully justified the about-turn of connections to take part and Georges Rimaud commented, “We were very pleased with his run and we were obviously beaten by a very good opponent. Christophe had a good run through the whole race and thought he was going to win, but the mare found more. He's proved he stays the trip in soft ground, so we will go away and discuss what will happen in the next few days.”

Jean Claude Rouget said of the runner-up and of Al Hakeem, who clung on for fourth, “I am proud of my two horses–they ran great races, handled the ground and stayed well. It was a deep field with many possible winners and both finished in the first four so it is a very good day. They will come back stronger next year. I am very happy for Sir Mark Prescott–I've known him well for a long time and I just love this man.”

Dettori said of Torquator Tasso, “He finished really strong and ran a super race. The draw didn't help, but it's his style of racing to run on the outer. I thought for a moment I might get to them, but they were too strong for me.”

Ralph Beckett said of the sixth-placed Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}), “He ran a good race, he had the perfect position alongside the winner and ran on well in the straight. He was struggling on the ground–you could see that. Hopefully he will come back stronger next year.”

Aidan O'Brien had some unwelcome news about Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), who is back on the easy list after a gruelling experience. “Obviously he got stuck in the ground, he pulled a muscle off his near-hip and is sore enough now,” he explained. “Hopefully we can take him home, but he'll be sore for a while. It will heal in time and hopefully we can look forward to next season. I'd say that will almost certainly be it this season.”

Pedigree Notes

Alpinista, who was providing Frankel with his first Arc success, is the first foal out of the Listed Silbernes Band der Ruhr winner Alwilda (GB) (Hernando {Fr}), whose 3-year-old filly Alpenblume (GB) (Kendargent {Fr}) was second at listed level at Hanover this term. Her aforementioned pathfinder dam Albanova is also responsible for the G3 Dubai Duty Free Legacy Cup winner Algometer (GB) (Archipenko), the Listed Stand Cup scorer and G3 Geoffrey Freer S.-placed Alignak (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) and the triple French listed winner All At Sea (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). In a twist of fate, the latter is in turn the dam of last month's G1 St Leger hero Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), making it another key period in the distinguished family's history.

The third dam is the Listed Oyster S. winner Alouette (GB) (Darshaan {GB}), who also produced Albanova's high-achieving full-sister Alborada (GB) who pulled off her own remarkable feat when capturing back-to-back editions of the G1 Champion S. when it was staged at Newmarket. Among her descendants are the G2 City Of York S. winner Shine So Bright (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and the G1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares S. and G Yorkshire Oaks runner-up Albaflora (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}). This is also the family of Allegretto (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who had her own day in the headlines at this venue when winning the G1 Prix Royal-Oak, and the talented G2 Nassau S. winner Last Second (Ire) also by Alzao, who later produced the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains-winning sire Aussie Rules (Danehill). Alwilda's 2020 colt by Oasis Dream (GB) unfortunately died last year, while she also has a filly foal by Iffraaj {GB).

Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
QATAR PRIX DE L'ARC DE TRIOMPHE-G1, €5,000,000, ParisLongchamp, 10-2, 3yo/up, c/f, 12fT, 2:35.71, vsf.
1–ALPINISTA (GB), 128, m, 5, by Frankel (GB)
1st Dam: Alwilda (GB) (SW-Ger & SP-Eng), by Hernando (Fr)
2nd Dam: Albanova (GB), by Alzao
3rd Dam: Alouette (GB), by Darshaan (GB)
O/B-Kirsten Rausing (GB); T-Sir Mark Prescott; J-Luke Morris. €2,857,000. Lifetime Record: MG1SW-Ger & G1SW-Eng, 15-10-2-0, €3,926,843. *1/2 to Alpenblume (GB) (Kendargent {Fr}), SP-Ger. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Vadeni (Fr), 125, c, 3, Churchill (Ire)–Vaderana (Fr), by Monsun (Ger). O-H H The Aga Khan; B-H H The Aga Khan's Studs SC (FR); T-Jean-Claude Rouget. €1,143,000.
3–Torquator Tasso (Ger), 132, h, 5, Adlerflug (Ger)–Tijuana (Ger), by Toylsome (GB). (€24,000 Ylg '18 BBAGO). O-Gestut Auenquelle; B-Paul H Vandeberg (GER); T-Marcel Weiss. €571,500.
Margins: HF, NK, 2. Odds: 3.40, 7.80, 8.10.
Also Ran: Al Hakeem (GB), Grand Glory (GB), Westover (GB), Luxembourg (Ire), Broome (Ire), Alenquer (Fr), Onesto (Ire), Titleholder (Jpn), Mendocino (Ger), Mishriff (Ire), Stay Foolish (Jpn), Mare Australis (Ire), Sealiway (Fr), Bubble Gift (Fr), Deep Bond (Jpn), Do Deuce (Jpn), Mostahdaf (Ire). Video, sponsored by TVG.

WHAT A MARE! Congratulations @Lanwades, @HeathHouseNkt, @Luke_Morris88 & @AnnabelWillis4!
pic.twitter.com/Uow3of4vuR

— TDN (@theTDN) October 2, 2022

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“They are all great, but Group 1 races are hard to come by and, for a smallish stable, every five or six years you get good ones come along and it's tremendous when it happens,” said Prescott. “We trained this one's dam, granddam and great granddam. It's been a marvellous family. The original intention was to go [G1] Coronation Cup and [G1] King George [VI & Queen Elizabeth S.], but she wouldn't come in her coat in time for the Coronation, so it then became Saint-Cloud and then either here or the [G1 Prix] Vermeille. Miss Rausing was very keen to come here as she hadn't won a Group 1 in England. She has really done it all now, she's won Group 1s in England, France and Germany.”

Looking ahead, the veteran Heath House conditioner added, “The [G1 Prix de l'] Arc [de Triomphe] has always been her aim. Last year we rather patted ourselves on the back for being so clever winning three Group 1s in Germany, then, when the one behind us [Torquator Tasso] came and won the Arc, we rather felt we might not have been as clever as we thought we were. When she stayed in training this year that was always the aim.”

Winning jockey Luke Morris is also relishing the prospect of going to ParisLongchamp on the first Sunday in October. “Since she has been on better ground this year she has looked like a filly with more class so we can dream about Paris now,” he said. “Generally the Yorkshire Oaks can look a little top heavy with a superstar of Aidan's, but I thought it had a lot of depth and she had to give nine pounds away to the second. I thought it was a great performance and it's great she's been able to show in Britain what she is capable of. It's a massive effort from the teams at Heath House and Lanwades Stud. I'm just the lucky one that gets to sit on her a couple of times a year.”

Aidan O'Brien was not too downcast, despite Tuesday's defeat, and looked ahead to future targets after the G1 Oaks heroine failed to reel in the winner. “She will go on Irish Champions weekend somewhere, whether she will stay here [in England], or whether she will go to Ireland or whether she will go to France or whatever. Hopefully she will go somewhere. We were happy enough with that. It was her first run back, she ran very well and I don't think she was losing any ground going to the line. She has come back to form after [finishing fourth in the G1 Irish Derby at] the Curragh. She was a bit hot before the race, but I didn't mind that as I was hot myself. She is in the mix for the Arc and other races.”

Team Valor's La Petite Coco would have preferred more juice in the ground, but nonetheless produced a display of star quality in third. “She is not the type to set the pace, but nobody else wanted to so that was somewhat less than ideal,” admitted Barry Irwin. “I think the difference between her finishing right there with the first two and where she did finish was somewhat quality, because they are two fantastic horses for sure, but our filly needs the soft. The ground had a good cover on top, but underneath it was firm and she can't lay her body down like that. On soft turf, not that the others would not have run as well, I think we would have been able to hang with them better if the ground was softer. The fact that the race turned into something of a sprint, and that she wasn't going to let herself down as well, played against her somewhat.” It's unlikely connections will be tempted into a rematch with Alpinista in Paris. “Paddy [Twomey] is talking about the [G1] Prix de l'Opera or the [G1] Champion S. [at Ascot]. That is what he is looking at, we need to wait for the ground to soften and we are going to forget about the Arc this year. When she won at the Curragh it was like a miracle, where it rained just before the race and she got her ground. Even though she wasn't really totally fit, she was able to win anyway because of the ground.”

Alpinista, kin to a 2-year-old colt by Oasis Dream (GB) and a weanling filly by Iffraaj (GB), is the first of four foals and one of two winners produced by a stakes-winning half-sister to four black-type performers out of the aforementioned Albanova (GB) (Alzao). The quartet includes G3 Legacy Cup victor Algometer (GB) (Archipenko), stakes-winning G3 Geoffrey Freer S. third Alignak (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) and multiple stakes scorer All At Sea (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}). Albanova is one of four black-type performers thrown by G1 Moyglare Stud S. third Alouette (GB) (Darshaan {GB}), whose descendants also include dual G1 Champion S. heroine Alborada (GB) (Alzao) and stakes-winning G1 Epsom Derby runner-up Dragon Dancer (GB) (Sadler's Wells). Alouette is a half-sister to G3 Doncaster Cup vixtrix Alleluia (GB) Caerleon), who produced G1 Prix Royal-Oak heroine Allegretto (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and G2 Nassau S. winner Last Second (Ire) (Alzao), with the latter being the dam of G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains-winning sire Aussie Rules (Danehill).

Thursday, York, Britain
DARLEY YORKSHIRE OAKS-G1, £533,750, York, 8-18, 3yo/up, f, 11f 188yT, 2:29.92, gd.
1–ALPINISTA (GB), 135, m, 5, by Frankel (GB)
1st Dam: Alwilda (GB) (SW-Ger & SP-Eng), by Hernando (Fr)
2nd Dam: Albanova (GB), by Alzao
3rd Dam: Alouette (GB), by Darshaan (GB)
O/B-Kirsten Rausing (GB); T-Sir Mark Prescott; J-Luke Morris. £302,690. Lifetime Record: MG1SW-Ger & G1SW-Fr, 14-9-2-0, $1,165,186. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Tuesday (Ire), 126, f, 3, Galileo (Ire)–Lillie Langtry (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). O-Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Westerberg; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. £114,756.
3–La Petite Coco (Ire), 135, f, 4, Ruler Of The World (Ire)–La Petite Virginia (Ger), by Konigstiger (Ger). O-Team Valor International LLC; B-Mr B Schone (IRE); T-Paddy Twomey. £57,432.
Margins: 1, 1 3/4, 2HF. Odds: 1.75, 3.50, 4.00.
Also Ran: Lilac Road (Ire), Magical Lagoon (Ire), Raclette (GB), Poptronic (GB). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

Yorkshire Oaks (G1)
2380m, 533.750 GBP, for 3yo+ mares
York

Alpinista (GB)
(5M Frankel – Alwilda, by Hernando)
J :Luke Morris
T :Mark Sir Prescott
O :Miss K Rausing
Tuesday (Galileo)
La Petite Coco (Ruler Of The World)pic.twitter.com/DtE4SaY7Cy

— (@WorldRacing1) August 18, 2022

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“She's taken a long time to come to hand this year, which is why she missed the Coronation Cup and I feel she's only just starting to come now, so I hope she can improve for the run and I think all roads will lead to the Arc,” Morris said. “We usually ride her very handy, but there looked to be a lot of pace in the race so on her first run of the year we said we'd take a chance and drop her in a bit more and see how she went. The gap came lovely and she produced a very good turn of foot. She beat Torquator Tasso last year and it was the decision between going to Germany for what looked a very easy group one or going for the Arc and we chose the easy option–this year we may aim a bit higher.”

Alpinista is arguably the best that Prescott has trained since her dual G1 Champion S.-winning relative Alborada (GB) (Alzao), but she has taken time to reach full maturity and fulfil her potential. Since registering her first black-type win in Salisbury's Listed Upavon Fillies' S. in August 2020, the only rivals to have taken her measure have been Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G1 Yorkshire Oaks shortly after and Antonia De Vega (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) in the G3 Princess Royal S. at Newmarket the following month. “It was a faultless performance wasn't it really? She wouldn't come in her coat in the Spring and wasn't at a stage where she could run,” her trainer said. “She's just come right now and to be honest I thought the race might come 10 days too soon for her, but it's worked out very well. You would hope she could improve a tiny bit more.”

“We'll see what Miss Rausing feels, but I would think one run before the Arc, probably, and conventionally you'd go for the Prix Vermeille–that would be the obvious race,” Prescott added. “I don't see any reason to be a clever Dick, I think you just go with the obvious and hope she's good enough to do it.” Juddmonte's Barry Mahon said of Baratti, “He has run a great race. Andre Fabre has always said he is a good horse and he has had a few setbacks, including one before the Hardwicke but we now have a good horse for the second half of the season.”

Alpinista is the first foal out of the listed scorer Alwilda (GB) (Hernando {Fr}), who is one of four black-type winners out of the family's initial triple German group 1 winner Albanova (GB) (Alzao). The others are the group 3 scorer Algometer (GB) (Archipenko), the listed scorer and group 3-placed Alignak (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) and the triple French listed winner All At Sea (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) who is in turn the dam of this year's G2 Queen's Vase winner Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}).

The third dam is the Listed Oyster S. winner Alouette (GB) (Darshaan {GB}), producer of the aforementioned Alborada who is kin to the G3 Doncaster Cup winner Alleluia (GB) (Caerleon) who in turn produced the G1 Prix Royal-Oak heroine Allegretto (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Alouette is also a half to the G2 Nassau S. winner Last Second (Ire) by Albanova and Alborada's sire Alzao, who boasts the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulians-winning sire Aussie Rules (Danehill) among her progeny list. Also related to last year's G1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares S. and G1 Yorkshire Oaks runner-up Albaflora (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}), Alwilda has the dual-winning 3-year-old filly Alpenblume (GB) (Kendargent {Fr}) and a filly foal by Iffraaj {GB).

Sunday, Saint-Cloud, France
GRAND PRIX DE SAINT-CLOUD-G1, €400,000, Saint-Cloud, 7-3, 4yo/up, 12fT, 2:26.15, g/s.
1–ALPINISTA (GB), 125, m, 5, by Frankel (GB)
     1st Dam: Alwilda (GB) (SW-Ger & SP-Eng), by Hernando (Fr)
     2nd Dam: Albanova (GB), by Alzao
     3rd Dam: Alouette (GB), by Darshaan (GB)
O/B-Kirsten Rausing (GB); T-Sir Mark Prescott; J-Luke Morris. €228,560. Lifetime Record: Ch. Older Mare-Eng at 11-14f, Ch. Older Mare-Ger at 11-14f, MG1SW-Ger, GSW & G1SP-Eng, 13-8-2-0, €709,197. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Baratti (GB), 128, c, 4, Frankel (GB)–Binche, by Woodman.
1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O/B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd (GB); T-Andre Fabre. €91,440.
3–Bubble Gift (Fr), 126, c, 4, Nathaniel (Ire)–Bubble Back (Fr), by Grand Lodge.
1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O-Zak Bloodstock; B-A Hakam (FR); T-Mikel Delzangles. €45,720.
Margins: 1 1/4, NK, 3. Odds: 7.90, 10.00, 25.00.
Also Ran: Sweet Lady (Fr), Lone Eagle (Ire), High Definition (Ire), Mare Australis (Ire), Hurricane Lane (Ire), Third Realm (GB). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.

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“We are absolutely delighted with the mare and winning three Group 1 races is terrific,” assistant trainer William Butler told Sport-Welt. “Alpinista has progressed throughout the year and has developed into a top-class stayer. Congratulations to Miss [Kirsten] Rausing for sending us this great horse and to Luke Morris for giving her a great ride.”

Sarah Steinberg was delighted with the progress of runner-up Mendocino. “That was a great performance today and a second-place finish is a just reward for building him up so patiently,” she told GaloppOnline. “We can be absolutely satisfied today and will definitely have a lot of fun with him next year.” Nerium's trainer Peter Schiergen added, “He ran well and his rider gave him every chance. The form of the race is solid and he will stay in training next year.”

Alpinista, kin to the unraced 2-year-old filly Alpenblume (GB) (Kendargent {Fr}) and a yearling colt by Oasis Dream (GB), is one of 20 Group 1 winners by her sire and the first foal produced by a stakes-winning half to four black-type performers out of the aforementioned Albanova (GB) (Alzao). The quartet includes G3 Legacy Cup victor Algometer (GB) (Archipenko), stakes-winning G3 Geoffrey Freer S. placegetter Alignak (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) and multiple stakes winner All At Sea (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}). Albanova is one of four black-type performers thrown by G1 Moyglare Stud S. third Alouette (GB) (Darshaan {GB}), whose descendants also include dual G1 Champion S. heroine Alborada (GB) (Alzao) and stakes-winning G1 Epsom Derby second Dragon Dancer (GB) (Sadler's Wells). Alouette is kin to G3 Doncaster Cup vixtrix Alleluia (GB) Caerleon), herself the dam of G1 Prix Royal-Oak heroine Allegretto (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and G2 Nassau S. winner Last Second (Ire) (Alzao), the latter being the dam of G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains-winning sire Aussie Rules (Danehill).

Sunday, Munich, Germany
ALLIANZ – GROSSER PREIS VON BAYERN-G1, €150,000, Munich, 11-7, 3yo/up, 12fT, 2:38.53, g/s.
1–ALPINISTA (GB), 129, f, 4, by Frankel (GB)
1st Dam: Alwilda (GB) (SW-Ger & SP-Eng), by Hernando (Fr)
2nd Dam: Albanova (GB), by Alzao
3rd Dam: Alouette (GB), by Darshaan (GB)
O/B-Kirsten Rausing (GB); T-Sir Mark Prescott; J-Luke Morris. €95,000. Lifetime Record: GSW & G1SP-Eng, 12-7-2-0, €481,683. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Mendocino (Ger), 128, c, 3, Adlerflug (Ger)–Mill Marin (Ire), by Pivotal (GB). (€58,000 RNA Ylg '19 BBAGS). O-Stall Salzburg; B-Gestut Brummerhof (GER); T-Sarah Steinberg. €30,000.
3–Nerium (Ire), 132, c, 4, Camelot (GB)–Nicolaia (Ger), by Alkalde (Ger). O-Stall Nizza; B-Ursula & Jurgen Imm (IRE); T-Peter Schiergen. €15,000.
Margins: 3/4, 1, 1. Odds: 0.80, 6.70, 7.10.
Also Ran: Control Tower (Fr), Walkaway (Ger), Believe In Love (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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