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| Staff Writer |
The Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend, Europe's most prestigious racing event, is set to begin with a series of thrilling races at Saint-Cloud Racecourse. The main event, scheduled for Sunday at ParisLongchamp, will feature a star-studded field of 16 runners competing for a share of the €5 million (US$5.3 million) prize purse.
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Two British contenders will fly the flag in this year's Arc. Ralph Beckett's Bluestocking, fresh from her victory in the Prix Vermeille over the Arc course and distance, has been drawn favourably in stall three. The Juddmonte-owned filly was supplemented at a cost of €120,000 (US$127,000), reflecting connections' confidence in her chances.
In contrast, David Menuisier's Sunway faces a tougher task from stall 15. The Group One-winning juvenile will need to overcome his wide draw and recapture his best form after finishing third in the St Leger last time out.
Leading the home team is Prix du Jockey Club victor Look De Vega, who will break from stall eight. Despite suffering a defeat to Sosie in the Prix Niel, the colt remains at the head of the betting markets.
French maestro Andre Fabre fields a formidable trio, including the unbeaten Mqse De Sevigne. The filly, a four-time winner this term including three consecutive Group Ones, faces a challenging task from the widest draw in stall 16. Fabre's other runners, Sosie and Sevenna's Knight, will start from stalls five and 12 respectively.
Irish training legend Aidan O'Brien sends two contenders across the Channel. Irish Derby winner Los Angeles and last year's St Leger hero Continuous will fly the Ballydoyle flag, with Auguste Rodin and Luxembourg notably absent from the final field.
Aidan's son, Joseph O'Brien, fields Al Riffa, who enters the race on the back of a German Group One success. The colt will break from stall nine.
Adding an international dimension to the race is the Yoshito Yahagi-trained Shin Emperor, representing Japan's latest bid for Arc glory. The field is completed by Delius, Aventure, Fantastic Moon, Zarakem, Survie, and Haya Zark.
Previous Arc winners have gone on to achieve great success on the global stage. Notable victors include Enable (2017, 2018), who also claimed the Breeders' Cup Turf, and Treve (2013, 2014), who dominated the European middle-distance division for two seasons.
The Arc weekend isn't just about thoroughbreds. Saint-Cloud will host two prestigious Arabian races on Friday: the Gr.1 PA Qatar Arabian Trophy des Pouliches for fillies and the Gr.1 PA Qatar Arabian Trophy des Poulains for colts and geldings.
In the fillies' race, Al Shaqab Racing fields four contenders, including Al Jori, Hajmah, Ihtijaj, and Salmah. They'll face stiff competition from Ghara (Al Wasmiyah Racing) and Chdia (Wathnan Racing), among others.
The colts' race features nine runners, with Mohtaram representing Al Shaqab Racing and Group Two winner Mureb carrying the hopes of Wathnan Racing.
These races serve as a prelude to Saturday's €1 million (US$1.06 million) Gr.1 PA Qatar Arabian World Cup at ParisLongchamp, the richest Arabian race in Europe.
As the racing world turns its attention to Paris, the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend promises to deliver world-class action and unforgettable moments for racing enthusiasts around the globe.