Tag: ParisLongchamp

Arc Glory For Frankel’s Alpinista

Carried out in driving rain and accompanying gloom, Sunday's G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe went to Kirsten Rausing's Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}) who with her ever-whitening coat and mud-dappled white silks navigated what resembled a ploughed field like a trail of luminescence at ParisLongchamp.

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.

 

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Churchill’s Blue Rose Cen Dominates The Marcel Boussac

After the success for Nurlan Bizakov in the Lagardere, it was the turn of another rising force in French breeding Yeguada Centurion to enjoy the limelight as Blue Rose Cen (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) lit up ParisLongchamp in the G1 Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac, a “Win and You're In” for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Keeneland in November.

Coming off a course-and-distance win in the G3 Prix d'Aumale Sept. 8, the Christopher Head trainee had the perfect tow in third as Aurelien Lemaitre contained her enthusiasm. Let loose with 300 metres remaining, the homebred surged clear for an emphatic five-length success from Jim Bolger's outsider Gan Teorainn (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), with Never Ending Story (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) a short neck away in third.

This was a first Group 1 for Christopher Head and his famous family was around him afterwards. That it came in the year of Freddy's retirement was not lost on his father. “It's a funny thing,” Head, Sr. said. “I'm happy for him. He's the fifth generation and I hope there will be many more successes.”     Christopher, whose filly Tigrais (Fr) (Outstrip  {GB}) had lost her chance when stumbling exiting the stalls in the opener, commented, “The filly is extraordinary. I'll discuss it with her owners, whether we wait until next year or try the Breeders' Cup. I knew she'd be okay on that ground, as she proved last time she handles soft and I think she can go further–2000 [metres] will be easy for her. It's quite a surprise, as this was a very good race with all the Europeans.”

Lemaitre enjoyed one of the most straightforward rides of the afternoon and said, “She is a little Ferrari. She has a huge heart, is handy and tough and you can do what you want with her–nothing worries her. You put her in the back, she drops the bit. When you tighten your heels, she goes!”

The Wertheimers' TDN Rising Star Kelina (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) was disappointing, with the 21-10 favourite fading to last of the dozen runners. Jim Bolger said of Gan Teorainn, who had been second a week previously in the G3 Weld Park S., “One way or another, she's going to be a next-year filly. Today they didn't go very fast and only raced for the final furlong and a half. Next year we will probably start her at a mile and a quarter and she should get a mile and a half.”

Aidan O'Brien said of Never Ending Story, who like the first race's third Breizh Sky ran the fastest split in pursuit, “She ran very well. Ryan thought she was definitely going to be second but she came third, so she might be a little bit weak and will improve through the winter. She could run in the [GI] Breeders' Cup [Juvenile] Fillies Turf Mile, but we'll have to see how she comes out of it.”

Pedigree Notes

Blue Rose Cen's victory in the race that Freddy's sister Criquette holds the joint-record in is a huge moment for Leopoldo Fernández Pujals' operation. Like Belbek's dam, the mare responsible for this luminary was secured at Tatts December, with 110,000gns paid at the 2018 edition of that auction. Blue Rose Cen is the only known foal to date out of Queen Blossom (Ire) (Jeremy), a daughter of the G3 Silver Flash S.-placed Mark Of An Angel (Ire) (Mark Of Esteem {Ire}) whose career successes included the G3 Park Express S. and GIII Santa Barbara S.

Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
QATAR PRIX MARCEL BOUSSAC – CRITERIUM DES POULICHES-G1, €400,000, ParisLongchamp, 10-2, 2yo, f, 8fT, 1:40.45, vsf.
1–BLUE ROSE CEN (IRE), 123, f, 2, by Churchill (Ire)
1st Dam: Queen Blossom (Ire) (GSW-Ire & US, $220,859), by Jeremy
2nd Dam: Mark Of An Angel (Ire), by Mark Of Esteem (Ire)
3rd Dam: Dream Time (GB), by Rainbow Quest
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O/B-Yeguada Centurion SLU (IRE); T-Christopher Head; J-Aurelien Lemaitre. €228,560. Lifetime Record: 6-4-1-0, €325,060. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Gan Teorainn (Ire), 123, f, 2, Saxon Warrior (Jpn)–Dance Troupe (GB), by Rainbow Quest. 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O/B-Ennistown Stud (IRE); T-Jim Bolger. €91,440.
3–Never Ending Story (Ire), 123, f, 2, Dubawi (Ire)–Athena (Ire), by Camelot (GB). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O-Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Westerberg; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €45,720.
Margins: 5, SNK, SNK. Odds: 4.70, 50.00, 6.70.
Also Ran: Start Me Up (Fr), Breege (GB), Ardent, Aspen Grove (Ire), Shalromy (Fr), Dandy Alys (Ire), Wed (Fr), Habana (Ger), Kelina (Ire). Video, sponsored by TVG.

 

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First Blood Fabre On Arc Day As Showcasing’s Belbek Strikes

Andre Fabre had only outsiders in the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, but Sunday's ParisLongchamp fixture's opener was a reminder that the general is still very much in the thick of it as Belbek (Fr) (Showcasing {GB}) captured the G1 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.

Upstaged twice since his success in Chantilly's G3 Prix du Bois June 19 when fourth behind Blackbeard (Ire) (No Nay Never) in that track's G2 Prix Robert Papin July 17 and when fifth to this race's absentee The Antarctic (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in the G3 Prix de Cabourg at Deauville Aug. 2, Nurlan Bizakov's homebred was 18-1 as a result in this “Win and You're In” for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland next month.

Those odds would have been fitting for any other colt with his race record in this kind of test, but pure logic dictates that where the master of Chantilly is concerned this was a serious miss by the pari-mutuel faithful. Handed the perfect draft behind the leading trio, the bay had over a length to make up on Gamestop (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) as that rival looked to have stolen a march approaching the final furlong but Mickael Barzalona had ultimately timed it right with Belbek produced to shade it inside the final 50 metres. At the line, there was a neck between him and the Wertheimers' fellow outsider, with TDN Rising Star Breizh Sky (Fr) (Pedro The Great) the same margin behind in third.

“We always thought he had a lot of ability, but he failed to settle in his last two races and was helped by the ground and the faster pace here. He might go to Doncaster for the Futurity Trophy maybe,” Fabre said after greeting his sixth winner of this prize which was formerly run as the Grand Criterium.

Nurlan Bizakov added, “This victory means a lot, because it is our first Group 1 success with the first colt that we have bred in France, a country that is doing well for us.”

Christophe Ferland said of Gamestop, “He was relaxed today–I think the hood helped him to get into his stride he had a good draw this time unlike last time.”

Breizh Sky posted the fastest sectional in the race as he chased from the two to the one and trainer Alessandro Botti said, “He found himself stuck behind the wrong horses and Christophe Soumillon didn't want to come all the way outside, which was the right choice. In spite of everything, the colt ran an excellent race and finished at full speed. We knew that the soft ground would not bother him and I hope he has more room for improvement next year. If he's good, we could make the trip to the Breeders' Cup over a mile.”

Pedigree Notes

Belbek, who is a flagbearer for Nurlan Bizakov's burgeoning Sumbe operation, was providing a further boost to the form of Blackbeard, if any was needed. This did little to alter the juvenile pecking order, with Blackbeard very much in the shade of Little Big Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never) at Rosegreen. Belbek has room for progression over further than this seven-furlong trip, being out of a mare with middle-distance connections in Bee Queen (GB) (Makfi). Bought out of Juddmonte's draft in the 2017 Tattersalls December Mares Sale for just 50,000gns, she is a daughter of Trojan Queen (Empire Maker) which makes her a half-sister to the G3 Hampton Court S. winner Sangarius (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and to the G3 Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial-placed Emergent (GB) Showcasing's sire Oasis Dream (GB).

The third dam is Fabre's triple top-level-winning champion and Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine Banks Hill (GB) (Danehill), who produced the G1 Prix Prix Jean Romanet winner Romantica (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) and the dual listed scorer and G2 Prix Niel runner-up Ideal World (Kingmambo). That makes the fourth dam the outstanding producer Hasili (Ire) (Kahyasi {Ire}), whose clutch of top-class progeny includes the GI Beverly D. S. winner Heat Haze (GB) by Oasis Dream's sire Green Desert. She went on to produce the strong-staying G1 Metropolitan hero Mirage Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Forge (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) who was second in two renewals of the GII Bernard Baruch H. and third in the GI Maker's 46 Mile S. Bee Queen's yearling colt is by Gleneagles (Ire).

Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
QATAR PRIX JEAN-LUC LAGARDERE (GRAND CRITERIUM) – SPONSORISE PAR MANATEQ-G1, €400,000, ParisLongchamp, 10-2, 2yo, c/f, 7fT, 1:22.98, vsf.
1–BELBEK (FR), 126, c, 2, by Showcasing (GB)
1st Dam: Bee Queen (GB), by Makfi (GB)
2nd Dam: Trojan Queen, by Empire Maker
3rd Dam: Banks Hill (GB), by Danehill
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Nurlan Bizakov; B-Sumbe (FR); T-Andre Fabre; J-Mickael Barzalona. €228,560. Lifetime Record: 6-3-0-0, €298,660. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Gamestop (Ire), 126, c, 2, Lope De Vega (Ire)–Your Game (Fr), by Montjeu (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O/B-Wertheimer & Frere (IRE); T-Christophe Ferland. €91,440.
3–Breizh Sky (Fr), 126 c, 2, Pedro The Great–Anna Danse (Fr), by Anabaa. 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. 'TDN Rising Star'. (€14,000 RNA Ylg '21 ARAUG). O-Alain Jathiere, Louis Baudron, Alessandro Botti, Giuseppe Botti & Ecurie Elag; B-Haras des Evees, Daniel Cherdo & Mme Claudie Cherdo (FR); T-Alessandro & Giuseppe Botti. €45,720.
Margins: NK, NK, 2. Odds: 17.70, 12.00, 3.80.
Also Ran: Shartash (Ire), Vicious Harry (Fr), Tigrais (Fr), Pivotal Trigger (GB). Scratched: The Antarctic (Ire). Video, sponsored by TVG.

 

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An Arc Of Questions

   After the early retreat of Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) and mixed signals from the Classic generation in general this summer, Sunday's G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe will provide more answers if not perhaps the categoric truth about how the generations compare on Sunday. In a fascinating renewal replete with conundrums, the best of the remaining 3-year-olds in action Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Onesto (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Vadeni (Fr) (Churchill {Ire}) and Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}) pit their wits against the matured might of Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), Torquator Tasso (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) and Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}) among others. Any one of at least a dozen scenarios are plausible, particularly given the nature of conditions which are typically autumnal but all the same a shock to the system for those affected by the sudden jolt from the prolonged summer.

Winning Formula?

Given the gruelling nature of the Arc, the 3-year-old generation have always been best served by a summer break following the Classics. In the 1990s, Derby winners were almost expected to enjoy a mid-season sojourn before tackling this test and with the exception of Lammtarra that proved the correct format. Sinndar (Ire), Dalakhani (Ire), Bago (Fr) and Hurricane Run (Ire) continued that trend from the turn of the millennium and by accident Luxembourg fits the bill this time. More so than Onesto, Vadeni and compatriot Westover, Ballydoyle's G1 Irish Champion S. winner is fresh having spent the summer months in rehab. When Onesto and Vadeni went to Leopardstown, they had the edge of having respectively won a G1 Grand Prix de Paris and a G1 Eclipse S., so all power to Luxembourg for having overcome. Now he has to back it up off a work regimen that O'Brien would not be in a hurry to repeat.

Go West?

Despite the Irish Champion one-two-three and Eclipse win, the 3-year-olds have no absolute claim to dominance over their elders due to Westover and Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) having been so disappointing in the only meaningful top-level clash of the generations over this trip in the King George. The former, who had looked such a bright Arc prospect when scoring by seven lengths in the Irish Derby, was guilty of over-racing there much as Juddmonte's former Arc hero Workforce (GB) (King's Best) had in 2010. If able to get back on track, he is the one member of his age group that is guaranteed to stay this trip with relish and jockey Rob Hornby had an interesting insight into the King George flop on Friday evening. “He was immediately running downhill at Ascot and can jump into the bridle, so I think with a bit of protection for the first two furlongs I can hopefully get him into a nice rhythm and then it's a case of following the right horses,” he said. “I have a lot of confidence in his stamina, he has that in abundance and will handle slower ground so hopefully that will play to his strengths.”

The Perfect Arc Candidate?

In an edition strangely thin on female representation, there is at least the reassuring presence of one who excels in ticking boxes. Kirsten Rausing's Alpinista has all ducks in a row, with five consecutive Group 1 prizes earned in Germany, France and England and even a kind draw handed to her in the final piece of the puzzle on Thursday. Her 4-year-old campaign was all about the pursuit of the three German Group 1s collected by her grandmother Albanova (GB) (Alzao) and, while she achieved that feat with metronomic consistency, it was only in hindsight that it was deemed a notable one. Creating only marginal public interest at the time of her defeats of Torquator Tasso and Mendocino (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}), she now boasts some of the contest's best form as a result and has been primed for this one target ever since. What the lack of a 5-year-old-winning mare in the last 85 years says about her chance is anyone's guess and probably means very little, but the fact is that Newmarket's legend Sir Mark Prescott who is venturing to ParisLongchamp for the first time in 21 years was not born when Corrida triumphed as a more mature vintage back in 1937.

The Adlerflug Connection

Torquator Tasso and Mendocino represent the much-missed Schlenderhan sire Adlerflug and along with live outsider Alenquer (Fr) combine to give him a presence in this year's renewal second only to Frankel who has a quartet. With In Swoop (Ire) going so close in 2020, this is a sire influence to take seriously in a race that is hand in glove for his prodigal sons. All three represent him strongly, with even M M Stables' G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup hero Alenquer impossible to discount going back up to a mile and a half for the first time since finishing a close sixth despite losing a front shoe in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan Mar. 26. “He wasn't half the horse mentally he is now when he ran a decent race in this last year and won on bottomless ground at the Curragh,” jockey Tom Marquand said of Alenquer, who is fitted with blinkers for the first time and who if successful would be a monumental result for the William Haggas stable which held such a pivotal role in shaping this year's renewal. Mendocino, who would also be providing one of the contest's big stories if helping Rene Piechulek to back-to-back wins on two different horses, has the talent to make waves here. Stall Salzburg's chestnut has been expertly steered towards this prize by Sarah Steinberg and showed his mettle in the G1 Grosser Preis Von Baden, where he had to make up ground on Torquator Tasso in the most demanding part of the race. He is a more mature prospect than the one beaten just 3/4 of a length by the year-older Alpinista in November's G1 Grosser Preis Von Bayern at Munich.

Centenary Celebrations To Continue?

While Vadeni is rightly centre of attention on Sunday as the key representative of The Aga Khan's Studs in its 100th year in operation, the opening G1 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere could be the best chance of seeing the famed emerald green silks in the winner's enclosure again. The Johnny Murtagh-trained G2 Railway S. winner Shartash (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) suffered a coshing by the peerless Little Big Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never) in The Curragh's G1 Phoenix S. Aug. 6, but returned unbowed to run third in the Sept. 11 G1 Vincent O'Brien National S. over this seven-furlong trip. With an ideal draw, the homebred is poised to deal with Ballydoyle's hard-working The Antarctic (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and the key domestic player, Gerard Augustin-Normand and OTI Management's Sept. 4 G3 Prix la Rochette scorer Tigrais (Fr) (Outstrip  {GB}). “He's run in the two best Group 1s in Ireland and isn't far off them,” Murtagh said. “He needs to put it all together again and is a colt who I think will get through soft ground.”

Boussac Beauties

There are few things more satisfying in the autumn than the emergence of a new star filly in the G1 Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac, with the likes of Six Perfections (Fr) (Celtic Swing {GB}), Divine Proportions (Kingmambo), Finsceal Beo (Ire) (Mr. Greeley), Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar) and Found (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) all issuing early warning of what was to follow. The Wertheimers' TDN Rising Star Kelina (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) is as exciting a juvenile as France possesses at present and despite not tackling black-type company has shown enough in two authoritative wins at Deauville Aug. 6 and Chantilly Sept. 10 to make her one of the country's leading hopes on the card. This is deep, however, and anything unexposed that is capable of downing Mohamed Saeed Al Shahi's Aug. 20 G2 Prix du Calvados  winner Wed (Fr) (Profitable {Ire}), Yeguada Centurion's Sept. 8 G3 Prix d'Aumale scorer Blue Rose Cen (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), Gestut Fahrhof's Aug. 31 G3 Zukunfts-Rennen winner Habana (Ger) (Kingman {GB})–a second TDN Rising Star in the line-up–and Ballydoyle's July 21 G3 Silver Flash S. scorer Never Ending Story (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) can legitimately boast genuine Classic prospects for 2023.

The Return Of Nashwa

   While there are surprisingly no 3-year-old fillies in the Arc, the one who could lay claim to being the best of those campaigned over middle distances is in a strong renewal of the G1 Prix de l'Opera Longines. Imad Al Sagar's TDN Rising Star Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is kept to the original gameplan of this followed by a tilt at the Breeders' Cup and arrives in Paris fresh from a break having beaten La Parisienne (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) in the June 19 G1 Prix de Diane and the subsequent G1 Prix Jean Romanet winner Aristia (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) in Goodwood's G1 Nassau S. July 28. Slow ground is probably not her bag and there is the considerable threat of the May 29 G1 Prix Saint-Alary and Sept. 11 G2 Blandford S. scorer Above The Curve (American Pharoah) and the June 26 G1 Pretty Polly S. runner-up My Astra (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), as well as a host of others with a high-class level of form. There is another spoke in the wheels for Nashwa, as Teddy Grimthorpe pointed out. “She's obviously drawn 13, which is not ideal but we have to live with that,” he said. “She's had a pretty straightforward preparation in every way, she seems to be in good form and she's continued to develop, which has been pleasing. She's had a few positive bits of work, her last few bits of work were very decent. Both her father and her mother went on heavy ground, so we have to be at least hopeful. I don't think anybody wants to race on extreme ground, but I think she should have it in her DNA to be able to act on it.”

Queen For A Day?

   Having come up against Highfield Princess (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) in the G1 Nunthorpe S. at York Aug. 19 and Trillium (GB) (No Nay Never) in the Sept. 11 G2 Flying Childers S. at Doncaster, The Platinum Queen (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) bids to go one better and become the first juvenile to land the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines since 1978. There is no stand-out this year and the Richard Fahey trainee has a favoured draw. “The draw gods have smiled on us somewhat, being in seven,” Middleham Park Racing's Tom Palin said. “You're closer to the rail there and a few of her market rivals are drawn a little bit less favourably than ourselves. In theory, as long as she breaks well, she should be able to get out and get a nice forward position on the rail. It's not going to be her most favourable conditions, but you are not going to get many other days where you are favourite for a Group 1 and getting all that weight from rivals.” TDN Rising Star Flotus (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) was third to Highfield Princess on similar ground in The Curragh's G1 Flying Five Sept. 11 and this looks less tough. “It was soft ground at the Curragh and it rained all day, she won at Goodwood in soft ground as a 2-year-old, so hopefully she will get through it, especially over five,” Ed Crisford said.

Kinross Primed For Ultimate Target

Without doubt the most affected by the draw is the seven-furlong G1 Qatar Prix de la Foret Presente par Education Above All and Marc Chan's TDN Rising Star Kinross (GB) (Kingman {GB}) has been done no favours handed stall nine. What he does have is career-best form at present, having added Doncaster's G2 Park S. to the G2 City Of York S. and trainer Ralph Beckett is hoping Frankie Dettori gets the tactics right. “He got a little bit too far back last year–let's just hope it doesn't happen again on Sunday,” he said. TDN Rising Star Tenebrism (Caravaggio) is in one and is unbeaten at shorter than a mile, with her July 10 G1 Prix Jean Prat success a key piece of form. Whatever Alpinista does in the main event, Kirsten Rausing's July 26 G2 Lennox S. scorer Sandrine (GB) (Bobby's Kitten) looks poised to give her a thrill with conditions set up to suit ideally.

 

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