A winner of both the G1 Prix du Jockey Club and the G1 Prix Jean Prat in 2007, the 19-year-old has sired 38 stakes winners. Of his 22 group winners, six have scored at the highest level, including Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Just The Judge (Ire), 2020 Cartier Champion 2-Year-Old Filly Pretty Gorgeous (Fr), Most Improved (Ire), Law Enforcement (Ire), St Leger victor Harbour Law (GB) and Marcel (Ire).

After beginning his career at Ballylinch Stud in Ireland in 2008, the half-brother of G1 Prix de Diane heroine Latice (Ire) (Inchinor {GB}) switched to Haras de Grandcamp for the 2019 breeding season, where he stood through 2022. This year, he covered mares at Karwin Farm for €6,000.

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Alcohol Free's trainer Andrew Balding added,  “It looks a proper race, but Alcohol Free is in good form and we hope she'll be as effective on the faster conditions as she was on the heavy ground at Ascot. We were delighted with her performance in the Coronation, so we go to Newmarket full of hope. We're renewing rivalry with a couple and there are some very good older fillies in the race as well–it's a proper Group 1 race.”

'TDN Rising Star' Snow Lantern was too free, met trouble in running and still finished just 1 1/2 lengths off Alcohol Free in the Coronation so it is understandable that the ever-bullish Richard Hannon is in confident mood. Her defeat at the hands of the impressive Primo Bacio (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}) in the Listed Michael Seely Memorial S. over this trip at York May 14 has been put down to a tendency to over-race, but with the ground riding fast on the July Course and no obvious pacemakers here Rockcliffe Stud's prized homebred will have to be far more tractable. “The winner won well at Ascot, but we look forward to taking her on again in the Falmouth,” he said. “We didn't really have the rub of the green that day. Hopefully the ground will be better this time, which will help our filly.”

Primo Bacio has been off the track since beating Snow Lantern at York in May, having been withdrawn from the Coronation Stakes on account of the testing conditions. David Ward's bay, who was taken out of the Coronation after the deluge, has to prove that her York win was no aberration but her lethal turn of acceleration will be valuable in what could turn out to be a tactical affair. “It was a really difficult decision to take her out–we didn't know that she would not have liked that ground, because she's by Awtaad who loved the mud,” trainer Ed Walker admitted. “Lots of people were questioning my decision on that basis, but knowing the filly I just didn't feel it was right. She is a good-moving filly with a really smart turn of foot and I think running her on a stiff mile in real bottomless ground and putting a massive emphasis on stamina just wasn't right. Andrea Atzeni got on seriously well with her at York and he rides her again, so that's good news. I've known Andrea for a long time and use him a lot when available, and he's a brilliant rider. He's got that cool and it suits a filly like that really well.”

Dominant over Saffron Beach (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) and Alcohol Free when the ground was riding similarly slick in the May 2 G1 1000 Guineas, Ballydoyle's Mother Earth (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) is back in action again. Her two subsequent efforts when second and third respectively on unsuitably soft going in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches at ParisLongchamp May 16 and the Coronation showed her to be as game as she is classy and she remains unexposed on this trip and ground. “This is a very good and deep renewal of the Falmouth and it will take plenty of winning,” Ryan Moore said. “My filly obviously ran well when third to Alcohol Free and Snow Lantern in the Coronation S. last time, but I'd like to think she is a bit better than she showed there. Her 1000 Guineas win and subsequent second in France clearly mark her out as a high-class operator and she acts on quick and deep ground, so she is versatile on that score with more rain about.”

There is little between Indie Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Lady Bowthorpe (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), Queen Power (Ire) (Shamardal) and Champers Elysees (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}) on the form of the Duke of Cambridge June 16, where the Cheveley Park's mercurial grey had things fall into place. Supplemented for this, Indie Angel will need to prove that her Royal Ascot career-best was not a one-off. “If it had closed a day after the Duke of Cambridge, rather than the day before, she would have been in it,” the Stud's managing director Chris Richardson said. “She bounces off quick ground, so we're just hoping there's no more rain. She's in good form. John [Gosden] is very happy with her and hopefully Frankie [Dettori] can work his magic again.”

In the nine-furlong G2 Dahlia S. here May 2, it was Lady Bowthorpe and Queen Power who had Indie Angel's measure and with the former going on to chase home Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}) in Newbury's G1 Lockinge S. May 15 she narrowly sets the standard.

In the card's six-furlong G2 Duchess of Cambridge S., there is a fascinating rematch between the June 18 G3 Albany S. one-two-three Sandrine (GB) (Bobby's Kitten), Hello You (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and Oscula (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB}) with this ground offering a vastly contrasting scenario. With the Royal meeting only just surviving an inspection on that day, it is impossible to know how the trio or the well-beaten 'TDN Rising Star' Flotus (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) will perform here but it is still a learning process for the raw juvenile fillies at this stage.

Interestingly, Thursday's G2 Tattersalls July S. was fought out by a trio who swerved the fast ground prevalent on the first three days of Royal Ascot and it will be fascinating to see how the fillies fare with the Albany run on slow ground. Sandrine's trainer Andrew Balding said, “I've been very happy with her since Ascot. Ground conditions will be very different and that's a question mark, but she seems in good form and I thought she was very impressive in the Albany, so fingers crossed for a good run.”

Click here for the group fields.

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“She's in good form and is going straight to The Curragh now,” said O'Brien. “We're very happy with her. She would have really needed her first run a lot–my older ones were really taking a run, and I was actually delighted with her. I'm expecting a big run from her at The Curragh.”

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Santa Barbara, whose sole sighting on a racecourse came when winning a mile median sires series maiden at The Curragh in September, is the mount of Ryan Moore while Frankie Dettori is booked for the fellow Ballydoyle representative Mother Earth (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) who was last seen finishing runner-up in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. Santa Barbara has been drawn in stall one on the outside, with her stablemate in two and Jeff Smith's G1 Cheveley Park S. and G3 Fred Darling S. winner Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never) on the other side in 11. Cheveley Park Stud's Apr. 14 G3 Nell Gwyn S. winner Sacred (GB) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) will exit from stall nine, alongside the filly she beat in that prep, Saffron Beach (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) in 10.

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“He's wintered very well,” O'Brien said on Nick Luck Daily on Tuesday morning. “Obviously we put him away after the Dewhurst, but I was very pleased with that run. The ground went a bit slow on us and we probably weren't drawn in the perfect position, but it was a very good run.

“The plan all winter has been to go straight to the Guineas and not have a prep. He's in good shape. His National S. win was a very good performance. It was a very messy race, but he got himself out of trouble and showed a fantastic turn of foot.

“Turn of foot and speed are probably his two attributes, he'd love a bit of firm ground as he's a strong traveller with a turn of foot, which he showed a couple of times last season. It would be pretty important to us that the ground is good or better.”

“I don't know if he's classier [than the two who beat him in the Dewhurst], but I probably feel that we are the quickest horse,”  O'Brien added.

“We travelled very well through the Dewhurst and looked the winner, but on the day there was a severe bias to the rail, we were drawn on the other side and also the ground was on the slow side so I thought it was a fantastic run.

“When we broke down the race afterwards we were very proud of his run, we're looking forward to taking them on again on what we hope will be quicker going.

“His pedigree suggests he'll stay further, I'm quite confident about the mile but after that I'm not sure how much further he'd go as he's quite a pacey horse.

“I'd say Declan McDonagh is most likely to ride at Newmarket and we'll go from there, but it hasn't really been discussed yet. I'd imagine it will be Declan as he has a good relationship with him.”

O'Brien's G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas hopeful Pretty Gorgeous (Fr) (Lawman {Fr}), a winner of the G1 bet365 Fillies' Mile, is also in good form. Like her yardmate, she will also not have a prep prior to her run in the fillies' Classic.

“She's in good shape too, I'm pleased with how she's wintered,” O'Brien said. “She's a big, powerful mare and the plan is to go straight there,” he said.

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The five-year-old son of Dubawi is the third Cartier Horse of the Year for Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin operation following Daylami (Ire) in 1999 and Fantastic Light in 2001. Trained by Charlie Appleby, Ghaiyyath also claimed the Cartier Older Horse category ahead of Addeybb (Ire), Enable (GB) and Magical (Ire).

There was further success for the Maktoum family when Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}), owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum and trained by John Gosden, was named Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt ahead of Kameko, Pinatubo (Ire) and Siskin. In an outstanding 2020 season, he won the G1 St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot before defeating his elders in the G1 Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques Le Marois at Deauville.

Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) remained undefeated in her three starts this year, winning the 1000 Guineas, Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks for Aidan O’Brien and the Coolmore partners. The Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly in a division which included fellow nominees Alpine Star (Ire), Fancy Blue (Ire) and Wonderful Tonight (Fr).

Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum’s 6-year-old Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) was awarded the Cartier Sprinter honours following a season which included victory in the G1 King’s Stand S., G2 King George Qatar S. at Goodwood for the fourth time, and the G1 Coolmore Nunthorpe S. for the second year running. The Charlie Hills-trained gelding clinched the award ahead of fellow nominees Dream Of Dreams (Ire), Glass Slippers (GB) and Glen Shiel (GB).

For the third consecutive year, one of the most popular horses in training, Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) was named Cartier Stayer. Owned and bred by Bjorn Nielsen and trained by John Gosden, the 6-year-old captured the G1 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot for a third time as well as winning his fourth G1 Qatar Goodwood Cup. Also shortlisted in this category were Galileo Chrome (Ire), Princess Zoe (Ger) and Wonderful Tonight (Fr).

The Aidan O’Brien-trained G1 Criterium International winner Van Gogh, who became the first European Group 1 winner for his sire American Pharoah, has been named Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt of 2020. Van Gogh is yet another feather in the cap of David and Diana Nagle’s Barronstown Stud, whose long list of Group 1-winning graduates includes Irish Derby winner Sovereign (Ire), G1 St Leger winner Kew Gardens (Ire) and the four-time G1 Ascot Gold Cup winner Yeats (Ire). The operation’s record of breeding top-class horses over four decades was recognised at the ITBA breeding and racing awards last January as they were inducted in to the Hall of Fame. In total, the Nagles have bred 29 individual Group 1 winners of 44 Classic or Group 1 races. Also nominated in the juvenile colts’ category were Battleground, Mac Swiney (Ire) and St Mark’s Basilica (Ire).

The Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly fell to one from the Joseph O’Brien stable, Pretty Gorgeous (Fr) (Lawman {Fr}). Owned by John Oxley, she finished the year in style by winning the G1 bet365 Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket. Her fellow nominees were Alcohol Free (GB), Campanelle (Ire) and Tiger Tanaka (Ire).

With two horses from his stable having picked up awards, John Gosden OBE was the recipient of the Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit in 2020. Champion trainer in Britain for the past three seasons, he has saddled over 3,500 winners during a 41-year career and has been responsible for a record five Cartier Horse of the Year recipients: Kingman (2014), Golden Horn (2015), Enable (2017 & 2019) and Roaring Lion (2018).

Harry Herbert, Cartier’s Racing Consultant, said, “Back in the spring, nobody knew if we would even have a European Flat season in 2020 but with the hard work of everyone in the racing industry we were ultimately rewarded with a season to savour.

“Racing cannot continue without the ongoing support of owners and I would like to extend my congratulations to tonight’s winners—Godolphin, Coolmore, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, Bjorn Nielsen and John Oxley.”

He added, “John Gosden has truly reached the summit of his profession and is the perfect recipient for the Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit in 2020. With his supreme eloquence and communication skills, racing is very lucky to have such a fabulous ambassador.

“I would like to end by extending special thanks to Cartier, Sky Sports Racing, The Daily Telegraph and Racing Post. Cartier’s support of these prestigious awards stretches right back to 1991 and is ongoing, even in today’s troubled times. We are truly blessed to be able to enjoy such tremendous support.”

Laurent Feniou, Managing Director of Cartier UK, commented: “In what has proved to be a year in which so many people have faced exceptional challenges, I am delighted for the Cartier Racing Awards to be broadcast on Sky Sports Racing allowing the racing public to join us in watching the presentation this year. It is an honour to celebrate the very best of horseracing, especially this year as we honour the 30th anniversary of the Cartier Racing Awards. My heartfelt congratulations go out to this exceptional year’s winners.”

The Cartier Awards, which are usually presented during a glittering ceremony in London, were this year broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing.

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Pretty Gorgeous was a rare Rising Star to run at the low-key Irish venue of Bellewstown, but the promise of her five-length defeat of the useful Talacre (Flintshire {GB}) over this trip was there for all to see July 2. Runner-up to Donnacha’s Shale (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G3 Silver Flash S. over the first of three seven-furlong outings when the going was lively at Leopardstown Aug. 6, she turned that form around with ease in the ground when scoring by 2 1/2 lengths in the Debutante at The Curragh Aug. 22 before again coming off second-best to Shale in the Moyglare. “She was very impressive and I’m delighted for everybody at home, for Mr Oxley who was keen to come here and for Justin who bought her,” trainer Joseph O’Brien said. “I thought Shane gave the filly a great ride. He was patient on her and committed when he had to. Shane is a young man, but he is a very good rider–strong and cool in a finish and he doesn’t panic.”

“I was a little bit worried coming here, given that she’d been to France but she was very fresh and in great shape so we thought we’d better take our chance,” he added. “From the first day she worked, she was impressive at home and proved today that she is top-class. The Breeders’ Cup is an option, but it’s more likely she’ll be put away now and trained for a Guineas next Spring. She is a Lawman, so she would not be bred to go very far. I think Lawman’s can get 10 furlongs and I see her more as an eight to 10-furlong filly rather than an Oaks-type filly at this stage.”

John Gosden said of the runner-up, “It was a great run and I’m very happy with her. Her mother won the French St Leger and her sister won a group one over a mile and a half. She will be trained more for a mile and a quarter and middle-distance races. She won’t be trained as a Guineas filly.”

Aidan O’Brien explained the mix-up with his fillies later in the afternoon, telling the Racing Post, “I didn’t see the race live and when I looked at the replay after it was brought to my attention, I could see straight away. I contacted the BHA straight away and let them know what is after happening. We have a team based in England these days because of the coronavirus restrictions, so the problem is the lads that are with the horses at home can’t always go racing with them. I don’t know what to say other than I am so sorry that it happened.”

Pedigree Notes:
Pretty Gorgeous’s listed-placed dam Lady Gorgeous (GB) (Compton Place {GB}), who also produced the Listed Prix Nureyev scorer Alwaab (Fr) (Toronado {Ire}), is kin to the G3 Prix Fille de l’Air third Kartica (GB) (Rainbow Quest) who is in turn the dam of the G1 Coronation S., G1 Prix Rothschild and G2 Duke of Cambridge S. heroine Qemah (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). The listed-winning second dam Cayman Sunset (Ire) (Night Shift), who was also placed in the GII Canadian H. and GIII All Along Breeders’ Cup S., is from the family of the GII Lexington S. and GIII Everglades H. winner Royal Roberto (Roberto). Lady Gorgeous’s colt by Shalaa (Ire) was purchased by Peter and Ross Doyle Bloodstock for 90,000gns at last year’s Tattersalls December Foal Sale and heads back to that venue to come under the hammer during Tuesday’s session of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 2.

Friday, Newmarket, Britain
BET365 FILLIES MILE-G1, £400,000, Newmarket, 10-9, 2yo, f, 8fT, 1:39.10, sf.
1–PRETTY GORGEOUS (FR), 126, f, 2, by Lawman (Fr)
     1st Dam: Lady Gorgeous (GB) (SP-Eng), by Compton Place (GB)
     2nd Dam: Cayman Sunset (Ire), by Night Shift
     3rd Dam: Robinia, by Roberto
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (€55,000 Wlg ’18 ARQDE; 525,000gns Ylg ’19 TATOCT). O-Mr John C Oxley; B-EARL Ecurie Haras du Cadran, Enrico Ciampi, SAS I.E.I. & Ecurie la Boetie (FR); T-Joseph O’Brien; J-Shane Crosse. £226,840. Lifetime Record: GSW & G1SP-Ire, 5-3-2-0, $433,221. *1/2 to Alwaab (Fr) (Toronado {Ire}), SW-Fr. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Indigo Girl (GB), 126, f, 2, Dubawi (Ire)–Montare (Ire), by Montjeu (Ire). O/B-George Strawbridge (GB); T-John Gosden. £86,000.
3–Snowfall (Jpn), 126, f, 2, Deep Impact (Jpn)–Best In the World (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Roncon, Chelston Ire, Wynatt (JPN); T-Aidan O’Brien. £43,040.
Margins: HF, HF, NK. Odds: 2.50, 5.00, 50.00.
Also Ran: Dubai Fountain (Ire), Zabeel Queen (Ire), Shale (Ire), Star of Emaraaty (Ire), Mother Earth (Ire), Isabella Giles (Ire), Lilac Road (Ire). Scratched: Seattle Rock (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Clive Cox said of Isabella Giles, “She’s been a very pleasing filly and has enjoyed easy ground, which she’s likely to get on Friday. We’re obviously stepping up to a mile, but she’s come out of the Rockfel so well and we’re pleased she’s taking this step. It’s a strong race, but we’re looking forward to it.”

The score between Shale and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Pretty Gorgeous currently stands at 2-1 in pattern races, with the most important of those going the way of the former in the Sept. 13 G1 Moyglare Stud S. at The Curragh. Pretty Gorgeous was forced to miss Sunday’s G1 Prix Marcel Boussac due to the well-documented feed contamination and it could be that John Oxley’s bay has the upper hand with the ground riding soft on the Rowley Mile, as it did when she impressive in the Aug. 22 G2 Debutante S. also at The Curragh.

Donnacha said of Shale, “The ground is probably going to be a bit softer than ideal, but she’s in good form and we’re hoping for a big run. There’s not a lot between our filly and Joseph’s, obviously. I think the step up in trip is going to suit my one, so it will be good fun watching them run against each other and I’m sure it will be another good race. There’s some other smart fillies in the race and it will be interesting to see how the Irish and English form lines stack up.”

Joseph was also keen for another crack at his brother’s juvenile star and commented, “She’s in good shape. It looks a very good race and we’re looking forward to seeing her run. We’re obviously meeting Donnacha’s filly again and it will be interesting to see how it goes. It’s probably not the ideal preparation after last weekend, but we’re hoping for a good run. She has handled a bit of juice in the ground.”

Also on the card is another Classic pointer for the fillies over seven furlongs, the G3 Godolphin Lifetime Care Oh So Sharp S., in which Pretty Gorgeous’s stablemate Thinking of You (American Pharoah) bids to build on her third placing in The Curragh’s G3 Weld Park S. Sept. 27. She encounters Nazuna (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), who was second to Isabella Giles in the aforementioned Rockfel over this track and trip, and the impressive course-and-distance Sept.  26 maiden winner Saffron Beach (Ire) (New Bay {GB}). Thinking of You’s trainer Joseph O’Brien said, “She ran a very good race at the Curragh last time in what was a messy enough race. I’m quite hopeful of a good run from her.”

In the G2 Godolphin Stud & Stable Staff Awards Challenge S., the sponsors supply Zakouski (GB) (Shamardal) who comes back off a break having won the G2 Zabeel Mile at Meydan Feb. 20, and he is joined by the fellow Charlie Appleby-trained Sept. 18 Listed Dubai Duty Free Cup winner Glorious Journey (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Roger Varian runs Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa’s G2 Rockfel S. and G3 Albany S. winner and G1 Moyglare Stud S. and GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies’ Turf runner-up Daahyeh (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), whose intended seasonal bow in the Listed October S. was lost at Ascot on Saturday. “We have been pleased with Zakouski’s preparation and are happy to drop him back to seven furlongs in testing conditions,” Appleby said. “He is a horse with a nice profile and doesn’t have to carry a Group 2 penalty for his win earlier in the year. We are looking forward to seeing him back running on British soil ahead of another Dubai campaign. Glorious Journey has shown that he is capable of winning at this level and conditions will be there to suit. He came out of his run at Newbury well and his confidence is up on the back of that win. We are hopeful that he can put up another decent performance.”

Manton Park Racing’s Method (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) comes back to the scene of his G1 Middle Park S. flop in the G3 Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project Cornwallis S. over five furlongs. Too keen there with a slipped saddle, the July 18 Listed Rose Bowl S. scorer faces tough opposition including the Aug. 22 Listed Roses S. winner Acklam Express (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) and trainer Martyn Meade has reservations. “Obviously it’s not ideal coming back to five furlongs–he is a six-furlong horse,” he said. “Having said that, he does have plenty of speed and I have got to run him somewhere before the end of the season. He didn’t take anything out of himself in the Middle Park. He seems in good form and we’re hoping he can show his superiority over a distance that is a little bit shorter than ideal. It is a stiff five furlongs at Newmarket and the ground isn’t going to be lightning-fast. From what I’ve seen of him working on soft ground at home, I don’t think it will be a huge inconvenience. Hopefully he can finish his season on a decent note.”

John Gosden has some notable runners for Juddmonte on the afternoon, with the July 26 Listed Lyric Fillies’ S. winner Franconia (GB) (Frankel {GB}) bidding to put a disappointing effort when last of six in the Aug. 20 G1 Yorkshire Oaks behind her in the 10-furlong G3 Darley Pride S. at Newmarket and the 2019 G1 St Leger hero Logician (GB) (Frankel {GB}) taking in the re-scheduled G3 Betsafe Cumberland Lodge S. at York. His three opponents include Fitri Hay’s July 30 G3 Gordon S. and Aug. 19 G2 Great Voltigeur runner-up Highland Chief (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) and Oliver Cole said of him, “Highland Chief is in great form. I think he’ll love the ground. It will be better for him up there. I think he’ll run a very big race. Obviously we’ve got to take on John Gosden’s horse, who is very good, but hopefully he’ll give him a race.”

Click here for the group fields.

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Twelve months ago, the bay with more than a just quantity of Northern Dancer-Sadler’s Wells-Galileo blood was denied the improbable hat-trick by a combination of factors. Similarly wet ground and a peaking Fabre project in Waldgeist (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) robbed her of the ultimate accolade and a year on the obstacles are both the same and different. While the going cannot be used as an excuse for a daughter of the easy-ground specialist Nathaniel who boasts two King Georges, an Arc and a Yorkshire Oaks on a surface softer than good, there is always the possibility of a dormant threat among the opposition.

Frankie is aware of the obstacles in the way of the mare who is so close to his heart. “For me, if I can win the third Arc, it is all for her. I will work hard to try to achieve that for her as I want her to be remembered as one of the all-time greats,” he explained. “She can only be called that if she wins a third Arc. She came so close last year and we will now roll the dice again. I actually don’t feel as nervous, as last year we were going for three in a row. Now that she has been beaten in the race last year, it takes a bit of pressure off. She has stayed in training for one reason and one reason only, and that is for a third win in the Arc.”

“She picked up a third King George along the way which was great, as that was another record, and I think John has got Enable in the best condition he can. I think we have her where we want her,” her rider added. “There is a lot of rain forecast at the moment and it depends how much we get. For sure it will be soft and it could be the extreme of very soft. That would put stamina into the equation and Stradivarius could come into the picture. He bolted up in the Ascot Gold Cup on soft ground and he is doing really well at the moment, so he would be a big threat which we have to respect. Enable is in a good frame of mind, though. She is aggressive at home, which is always a good sign with her. She seems in a good place.”

John Gosden added, “She travelled fine and everything has been fine. It’s just a shame about the ground. She prefers the easy side of good, so she can show her class, but it is going to be a bit of a slog. It is drying up now and it is tacky, but you might get another shower or two. It is Longchamp, by the River Seine–it is deep. We’re here and we’re trying. Let’s hope she gets a great run round and if she wins, marvellous, if she doesn’t, she couldn’t have done more for racing. These great racemares, they give everyone so much pleasure to see and race.”

(The quartet of Ballydoyle Arc runners were withdrawn late Saturday evening due to contaminated feed.)

As easy as it is to imagine a scenario where Frankie has time to glance around at the furlong pole as she careers towards impressive victory, the mind’s eye can also envisage a decisive home-straight surge from the likes of the aptly-named In Swoop (Ire) (Adlerflug {Ger}). Western Europe’s weather is currently so dire it could come down to a question of who can swim and the G1 Deutsches Derby hero certainly can. Or can Enable’s comrade Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) with all those Wildenstein staying genes come through as he did in his sensational 10-length G1 Gold Cup success? Just as Enable’s campaigning had led to this juncture, so Bjorn Nielsen’s elite stayer seems to have been steered in this direction with fateful accuracy. Left out of the Arc picture until this year, the best of his kind since Ardross (Ire) who went so close in 1982 has not taken the easy option but can it pay off? As Robert Frost penned, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I–I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.”

“Enable’s got a pal in there called Stradivarius and he’s a similar, wonderful, consistent performer at Group 1 level. It’s a pleasure to have them both there,” Gosden said. “If he handles the ground, he will run a big race. Frankie has called me and said it’s pretty desperate ground, so I’m going to go to the inside but there are three races before us. May the best horse win, whoever it is.”

Then there is the Fabre factor, with the inclusion of Persian King (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) so leftfield it is almost too bizarre to ignore. Andre is the undisputed King of the Arc and he continues to defy the perceived “knowledge” well into his seventies. Few who witnessed the highly-talented 4-year-old’s powerplay in the G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp over a mile could have foreseen a tilt at this great stamina test, but when it comes to the master of Chantilly we all bend. No doubt he has seen something in the conditioning of Godolphin and Ballymore Thoroughbreds’ imposing bay that makes this a gamble worth taking. The very fact that he is here is confirmation of where the race still stands in the pantheon of monuments globally. Of the nine French-trained winners since the turn of the millennium, Fabre was responsible for a trio and he is generally the first port of call when it comes to home pride. Persian King also has the assistance of “PC” in the saddle and last year’s Arc weekend demonstrated just what an advantage that can be.

Domestic hopes also reside with Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) and Raabihah (Sea the Stars {Ire}) from Southern France’s guru Jean-Claude Rouget and the former has vital experience of combat in this particular arena. Toughing it out when third as a still raw 3-year-old in the mud last year, Peter Brant’s flag-bearer has just 1 1/4 lengths to make up on Enable from 2019. It is worth bearing in mind that Waldgeist was beaten further by her in 2018 before emerging stronger a year on to reverse the form. If he is successful, Sottsass will be the first winner of the “new” G1 Prix du Jockey Club to prevail in this since its distance was diminished to 10 1/2 furlongs in 2005. He is the stable’s number one, with Shadwell’s Raabihah untried on ground slower than good-to-soft and needing a significant upgrade on her latest second in the course-and-distance G1 Prix Vermeille Sept. 13.

“I’m of the opinion that Sottsass is on much better terms with himself at this stage of the season,” Rouget commented. “This year, I haven’t managed to get him in the same condition as he is in now, owing to a racing calendar which has been perturbed by the pandemic. However, neither have I wished to go overboard, so as to ensure that that he’s a fresh horse come the Arc, which has always been his objective. Raabihah is similarly in peak condition. Our only question mark is the ground. This isn’t in the sense that she would be inconvenienced by a heavy track–we simply don’t know, because she has yet to tackle very soft conditions.”

ParisLongchamp’s card kicks off with the G1 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, where Marie McCartan’s Jun3 20 G2 Coventry S. winner and Aug. 23 G1 Prix Morny runner-up Nando Parrado (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) steps up to seven furlongs for the first time. Now that Ballydoyle’s St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) has been withdrawn, the Clive Cox runner faces an easier task and his trainer commented, “I’m very pleased, because he is in excellent form and it gives me confidence knowing that he will handle the conditions–that is a great plus, given the weather forecast.”

French representation had looked weak there and only slightly better among the fillies assembled for the G1 Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac before the O’Brien defections, but with John Oxley’s Pretty Gorgeous (Fr) (Lawman {Fr}) now scratched France’s main contender King’s Harlequin (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) comes firmly into the equation. Racing in the Sangster silks, she has to turn around the form of her defeat when third to Fev Rover (Ire) (Gutaifan {Ire}) in the G2 Prix du Calvados over seven furlongs at Deauville Aug. 22. Fev Rover’s syndicate manager Nick Bradley said, “She’s in serious form at home. I spoke to Richard [Fahey] on Friday morning and she’s a lot more professional than when Ben [Curtis] last rode her at Sandown.” King’s Harlequin at least has course-and-distance winning form, having subsequently beaten ‘TDN Rising Star’ Harajuku (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Coeursamba (Fr) (The Wow Signal {Ire}) in the Sept. 10 G3 Prix d’Aumale. The latter was bought on Saturday evening for €400,000 at the Arqana Arc Sale by Haras du Saubouas on behalf of Mohamed Fahad Al Attiyah.

The G1 Prix de l’Opera Longines is another race to lose out due to the O’Brien withdrawals, with the fascinating rematch between the July 5 G1 Prix de Diane one-two Fancy Blue (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Alpine Star (Ire) (Sea the Moon {Ger}) now shelved with the former’s trainer Donnacha forced to bypass the contest. The Niarchos Family’s G1 Coronation S. heroine Alpine Star has since run Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}) to 3/4 of a length when runner-up in the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois on heavy going at Deauville Aug. 16 and will relish the step back up in trip. Not that the Opera was a two-horse race, as one of the best renewals of recent times also sees Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum’s unbeaten June 14 G1 Prix Saint Alary and Aug. 22 G2 Prix de la Nonette winner Tawkeel (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) line up alongside The Aga Khan’s impressive Prix Vermeille heroine Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal). Tawkeel’s trainer Jean-Claude Rouget said, “She doesn’t share that characteristic that has bedevilled other members of the same family that I’ve trained, in the sense that they’ve made flying starts to their career which they haven’t backed up,” he said. “She, on the contrary, has done nothing but progress and each time she has astonished me.”

Alongside Love, the card is also missing another celebrity due to the ground in Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) who was understandably removed from the G1 Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp Longines picture having flopped when 14th in similar conditions 12 months ago. Impressive when successful on that occasion, Bearstone Stud’s Glass Slippers (GB) (Dream Ahead) was back to winning ways in The Curragh’s G1 Flying Five Sept. 13 and on the face of it might only have to reproduce that form to bring up back-to-back successes. “It was soft ground last year and she won it well,” jockey Tom Eaves said. “She has come out of Ireland well and we are looking forward to Sunday. She’s in good form and came to herself at this time last year.” This is far from a strong edition of the five-furlong sprint and the Flying Five runner-up Keep Busy (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) and fifth Make a Challenge (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) look the most realistic threats.

Where the Abbaye lacks depth, there is a fascinating renewal of the G1 Qatar Prix de la Foret to bring the top-level action to a close as Godolphin’s Earthlight (Ire) (Shamardal) returns to the course and distance of his easy win in the Sept. 13 G3 Prix du Pin. Not out of second gear when beating the fellow Andre Fabre-trained Tropbeau (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), last year’s G1 Prix Morny and G1 Middle Park S. winner has come off worse in the draw than the winner of the last two renewals of this, One Master (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}). “Earthlight is in the best form he has been in all year,” Andre Fabre said. “Mickael commented after his last piece of work that he feels better than ever, both mentally and physically. He is a laid-back horse, but with a devastating turn of foot and I am hopeful of a very good run here. My only concerns are around the level of form of the 3-year-olds this year.”

At home on easy ground, Lael Stable’s One Master looks as good as ever, but was 3 1/2-lengths second to Ross Harmon’s Safe Voyage (Ire) (Fast Company {Ire}) in the Aug. 22 G2 City of York S. and there is no obvious reason for her to reverse that. Safe Voyage, who also acts on deep ground, has since won Leopardstown’s G2 Boomerang Mile Sept. 12 and has the extra stamina that may be a prized asset in these conditions.

Click here for the group fields.

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Introduced over a mile at Bellewstown July 2, Pretty Gorgeous lived up to her title with a Rising Star-earning five-length defeat of the useful Talacre (Flintshire {GB}) and may have been racing against the bias when failing to claw back Shale in the Silver Flash. “We were looking for an easy spot for her debut first time at Bellewstown and she qualified for that race, but as it turned out it actually was quite a good race,” her trainer added. “The [G1] Moyglare [Stud S.] looks the logical next step. She has proven that she’s versatile ground-wise. I thought Shane gave her a lovely cool ride today, it was a lovely confident ride. She’s a big strong lady. She cost a good few quid as a yearling, but she was an outstanding physical specimen at the sales. The sky is the limit for her.”

Pretty Gorgeous is the second black-type winner for Lady Gorgeous (GB) (Compton Place {GB}) after the Listed Prix Nureyev scorer Alwaab (Fr) (Toronado {Ire}). She is kin to the G3 Prix Fille de l’Air third Kartica (GB) (Rainbow Quest), who is in turn the dam of the G1 Coronation S., G1 Prix Rothschild and G2 Duke of Cambridge S. heroine Qemah (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), while the listed-winning second dam Cayman Sunset (Ire) (Night Shift) was also placed in the GII Canadian H. and GIII All Along Breeders’ Cup S. hails from the family of the GII Lexington S. and GIII Everglades H. winner Royal Roberto (Roberto). Lady Gorgeous’s yearling colt by Shalaa (Ire) was purchased by Peter and Ross Doyle Bloodstock for 90,000gns at last year’s Tattersalls December Foal Sale.

Saturday, Curragh, Ireland
A.R.M. HOLDING DEBUTANTE S.-G2, €80,000, Curragh, 8-22, 2yo, f, 7fT, 1:28.53, sf.
1–PRETTY GORGEOUS (FR), 128, f, 2, by Lawman (Fr)
1st Dam: Lady Gorgeous (GB) (SP-Eng), by Compton Place (GB)
2nd Dam: Cayman Sunset (Ire), by Night Shift
3rd Dam: Robinia, by Roberto
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (€55,000 Wlg ’18 ARQDE; 525,000gns Ylg ’19 TATOCT). O-John C Oxley; B-EARL Ecurie Haras du Cadran, Enrico Ciampi, SAS I.E.I. & Ecurie La Boetie (FR); T-Joseph O’Brien; J-Shane Crosse. €48,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, $84,490. *1/2 to Alwaab (Fr) (Toronado {Ire}), SW-Fr. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Shale (Ire), 128, f, 2, Galileo (Ire)–Homecoming Queen (Ire), by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Donnacha O’Brien. €16,000.
3–Mother Earth (Ire), 128, f, 2, Zoffany (Ire)–Many Colours (GB), by Green Desert. (€150,000 Ylg ’19 GOFOR). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Grenane House Stud (IRE); T-Aidan O’Brien. €8,000.
Margins: 2HF, 2HF, 3/4. Odds: 3.00, 1.75, 5.00.
Also Ran: Meala (Ire), Snowfall (Jpn), Miramis (Ire), Palifico (GB), Finest (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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