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| Staff Writer |
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Ace Impact, the undefeated Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner, has officially retired from racing and will now begin his career as a stud.
The 3YO, trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, has had a remarkable season. Starting with a win in Cagnes-Sur-Mer all-weather in January, the horse has progressed to a thrilling victory in the ParisLongchamp race earlier this month.
Rouget patiently waited after the initial win in January and sent Ace Impact for a conditions win in April. The following month, the horse won Listed success. After that, the son of Cracksman was upgraded to Group One level for the Prix du Jockey Club and showed his signature turn of foot to secure a three and a half-length victory over Big Rock, winning the French equivalent of the Derby.
Cristian Demuro rode Ace Impact to a stylish victory in the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano at Deauville in August, earning the horse short odds as a favorite for the Arc.
The colt, owned by Serge Stempniak and the Chehboub family’s Gousserie Racing, was also considered for a Japan Cup bid or to continue racing in 2024. However, they ultimately decided to retire Ace Impact to stand at Haras de Beaumont stud in Normandy. The undefeated horse boasts a rating of 128, just 1lb behind top Japanese runner Equinox.
“The way he races and his acceleration is very rare in a racehorse,” said Rouget.
“Very few racehorses are able to accelerate like that and for me (2008 Arc winner) Zarkava was a super champion and maybe had the superior acceleration, but he is not far from that.
“He gave me a great day when winning the Arc and also the Prix du Jockey Club and all the races were delicious. We started very slowly and then progressed to Listed, Group One and Group Two and then another Group One.
“We had very good days with Almanzor in the Prix du Jockey Club and Sottsass in the Jockey Club and the Arc and (they) were equally good champions. With Ace Impact his acceleration is stronger and with him, in three steps, the race is over.”
When asked about his most significant memories of Ace Impact and the anticipation of training his offspring in the future, the handler responded: “We have a few years to wait and we will try to find another one like him.
“We are champion trainer for the fifth time in France thanks to Ace Impact.
“My memory of him will be he is he is not impressive in the morning, but when racing, he is another horse with very strong acceleration.”