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| Staff Writer |
In a spectacular showcase of racing prowess, Bluestocking stormed to victory in the prestigious Gr.1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp, securing a record-breaking seventh Arc win for Juddmonte Farms. This remarkable filly, trained by Ralph Beckett and piloted expertly by Rossa Ryan, put on a dazzling display to cement her place in racing history.
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After an impressive season, Bluestocking arrived at ParisLongchamp with high expectations following her victory in the Gr.1 Prix Vermeille. Staying true to her form, the Camelot filly positioned herself well throughout the race, sitting comfortably behind the early pace set by Los Angeles, ridden by Ryan Moore for Aidan O’Brien. When the time came, Bluestocking moved smoothly to the front, holding off a late challenge from the fast-finishing Aventure to win by one and a quarter lengths.
Trainer Ralph Beckett was full of praise for his charge, saying: “It’s extraordinary to have a filly who has danced every dance this season, from the King George to the Juddmonte International, and now the Arc. She’s an extraordinary horse.”
Bluestocking’s victory in the Arc adds to her already impressive tally of Gr.1 wins, including the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, making her one of the standout fillies of her generation.
Runner-up Aventure, trained by Christophe Ferland, finished a valiant second, continuing her strong form after placing in the Prix Vermeille. Ferland was justifiably proud of his filly: “She’s only three, and to take on the older horses like that in the Arc is amazing. We chose the tougher route, skipping the Prix de l'Opéra, and she didn’t disappoint.”
In third place, Los Angeles led much of the way, only to be caught in the closing stages. Despite the colt’s best efforts, he was unable to hold off Bluestocking and Aventure, but his performance was gallant. O’Brien, reflecting on the race, said: “He ran a great race, but in the end, he was a little too green. We may look at dropping him back in trip for the Qipco Champion Stakes.”
The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe has seen its fair share of legendary horses, with previous winners like Enable, Treve, and Alpinista leaving lasting legacies in the sport. Bluestocking’s win joins this illustrious list, and her connections now look ahead to future campaigns that could cement her status as one of the all-time greats.
Los Angeles, the Irish Derby winner, ran a brave race in the Arc, setting the pace for much of the contest. Despite his third-place finish, the colt’s connections remain optimistic about his future. His trainer, Aidan O’Brien, suggested a potential drop back in distance for the Gr.1 Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot, where the 10-furlong trip could suit the talented 3YO better.
Los Angeles previously finished a close fourth behind Economics in the Gr.1 Irish Champion Stakes over 10 furlongs, demonstrating his versatility. If he lines up at Ascot, he could pose a serious threat to older rivals in one of Britain’s premier end-of-season contests.
Away from the Arc, Al Ghadeer continued his dominance in the Gr.1 PA Qatar Arabian World Cup. Trained by Francois Rohaut and ridden by Christophe Soumillon, the 5YO produced a masterclass in patience and power, securing his second consecutive victory in this prestigious Arabian contest.
Entering the final straight, Al Ghadeer swept past rivals Al Doha and Nour Al Maury with ease, winning by two and a half lengths. Rohaut, reflecting on the victory, said: “He’s the horse of a lifetime, and I doubt I’ll see another like him. He’s truly special.”
With his sights set on the final leg of the Arabian Triple Crown in Doha, Al Ghadeer looks poised to complete a remarkable season for Al Shaqab Racing.
Makarova added to a stellar weekend for British-trained horses by securing victory in the Gr.1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines. The Ed Walker-trained mare, under Tom Marquand, showed her class by defeating hot favourite Bradsell by one and a quarter lengths.
Walker was thrilled with Makarova’s improvement this season: “She’s been a star for us, and I had every confidence she would handle the conditions at Longchamp. It’s a dream to see her win at this level.”
Camille Pissarro Takes Gr.1 Jean-Luc Lagardere In Style
In another thrilling Group One race, Camille Pissarro, ridden by Christophe Soumillon and trained by Aidan O’Brien, claimed victory in the Gr.1 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. The 2YO colt produced a powerful finish to beat Rashabar by a neck, giving Ballydoyle yet another top-level juvenile success.
O’Brien, typically modest, praised the colt’s resilience: “He’s a tough horse, and Christophe gave him a great ride. We’ll see where we go next, but he’s one for the future.”
The Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend once again delivered world-class racing, with Bluestocking’s triumph standing out as a moment of true brilliance. The depth of talent on display across all the Group One races further solidified ParisLongchamp’s status as the pinnacle of European flat racing.
With the partnership between QREC and France Galop continuing to grow, and the involvement of dignitaries such as HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al-Thani and HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, the Arc weekend remains a highlight of the international racing calendar.
As the dust settles on an unforgettable few days, racing fans can already begin to look forward to the 2025 renewal, with many of the weekend’s stars likely to return for another shot at glory.