Hi all,
It was another unforgettable Arc Day at Longchamp, highlighted by Daryz’s thrilling victory in Europe’s greatest race. The colt’s late surge denied Minnie Hauk in a finish to savour, while Aidan O’Brien’s juveniles sparkled with a Group 1 double and Asfoora proved her class again in the Abbaye.
From start to finish, it was a weekend that showcased international quality, tactical brilliance, and plenty of drama.
Inside today’s main piece you can read my review of a stellar day’s racing at Longchamp.
Daryz Edges Minnie Hauk in the Arc Thriller
Daryz and Minnie Hauk served up a thrilling finish to this year’s Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. On paper it didn’t look a vintage renewal, but the race still produced a memorable finish.
Soumillon had Minnie Hauk nicely positioned on the rail from stall 1 with Daryz tracking the filly. Minnie Hauk went for home two furlongs out and put a couple of lengths between herself and the colt, but she also gave him a perfect target. The pair pulled clear and fought out a gripping finish, with Daryz just getting the better of her in the final 50 yards.
It wasn’t a strongly run Arc, and the first two home got the best rides. Hopefully Minnie Hauk will stay in training as a four-year-old as she’ll have learned plenty from this. Not sure if the Daryz will return as a 4yo but it would be good for the sport if he did.
Sosie, fourth twelve months ago, finished one place better in third. Giavellotto outran big odds to finish fourth on ground that wouldn’t have suited, while Japanese challenger Byzantine Dream ran a cracker in fifth, especially from stall 15, given the first four home were drawn in the first five stalls. Kalpana, caught out wide, made a big move down the outside 2f out but paid for that inside the final furlong to finish seventh. I’m a big Colin Keane fan but this wasn’t one of his better rides.
Classic Generation Come to the Fore
The race, which can watch here, was all about two three-year-olds, with the winner improving for the step up to 1m4f as his pedigree suggested. It was the fifth time the late Aga Khan's colours have been carried to victory in Europe’s premier middle-distance race.
Daryz was one of my two race picks and enabled subscribers to make a tidy profit on Arc Weekend after First Look’s success on Saturday. It was my third Arc winner since 2021, and this great race is rapidly becoming one of my favourites.
Group 1 Juvenile Double for Aidan O’Brien
Aidan O’Brien landed a notable Group 1 juvenile double on Arc Day with Diamond Necklace in the Prix Marcel Boussac and Puerto Rico in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.
The Prix Marcel Boussac wasn’t strongly run, and it turned into a bit of a sprint in the straight. Diamond Necklace, who had improved to win a Listed race at Leopardstown on her previous start, took her unbeaten record to three with a decisive success. The previously unbeaten Green Spirit finished a length behind in second, so the form looks solid enough.
The winner, a daughter of St Mark's Basilica, has plenty of stamina on the dam side and should stay 1m2f as a three-year-old. The 1,000 Guineas and possibly even the Oaks could be on the agenda next year.
Puerto Rico Dominates the Lagardere
Puerto Rico gave Aidan O’Brien a 10th success in the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. Once out in front, Christophe Soumillon set solid fractions on the colt, and it never looked like he’d be caught once he kicked clear between the final two furlongs.
Well-backed favourite Rayif stayed on into third but didn’t have the change of gear to challenge the winner from his position. His trainer said he would have preferred a sounder surface. The winner could now head to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.
Asfoora Triumphs in the Abbaye
What a cracking mare Asfoora is. The Australian sprinter added another big prize to her résumé with victory in the Prix de l’Abbaye. The ground wouldn’t have really suited the Nunthorpe winner, but she still got the job done — helped by a handy low draw in stall 3.
Tracking the leaders, Oisin Murphy was briefly looking for a run two furlongs out, but when the gap came, he cut down Czech-trained Jawwal in the final 50 yards. She’s Quality ran another cracker in third.
There are few sprints in the Flat calendar with a bigger draw bias than the Abbaye. That was confirmed again this year with the first seven home all drawn in single-digit stalls.
Barnavara Makes All in the Prix de l’Opéra
Barnavara, trained by Jessica Harrington, made every yard to win the Group 1 Prix de l’Opéra. She was keen early but got a soft lead and kept finding more. Less than a length covered the first six home. It was a brave and classy effort. One Look finished strongly for third and would have gone closer in a truer-run race.
Maranoa Charlie Lands the Prix de la Forêt
Maranoa Charlie finally got his Group 1 in the Prix de la Forêt. He’d been knocking on the door and took full advantage of a low draw. Straight to the front, he dictated throughout and kicked clear in the straight. Nothing got close.
Zarigana, well backed and freshened up for the drop to 7f, travelled best and was delivered for a late run but didn’t find much. Her head carriage in the closing stages says she’s not up for a scrap. I was really surprised that connections didn't add some headgear for the race.
Ten Bob Tony ran well in third, while More Thunder caught the eye in fourth after a wide trip from stall 16. He’s one to note again Group 1 company when getting a more favourable set-up.
Both the latter races showed how valuable early position is at Longchamp. Prominent racers held all the aces across Arc weekend.
In Tuesday’s column I’ll be looking back at Saturday’s action on these shores.
Good luck with your Monday bets.
John