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Jockey Christophe Soumillon and Paco Boy in the walking ring after winning the Total Prix de la Foret (G1) |
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in Paris is traditionally run on the first Sunday in October and is the highlight of the European racing season. Longchamp also hosts a card of stakes races on the Saturday before Arc day, two of which are Group 1 events. The €250,000 (about US $345,000) Total Prix de la Foret (G1) is a 1400-meter (about 7 furlong) sprint for older horses over the "Grande Piste" course, with Paco Boy sent off as the 3-2 favorite in the field of 8 over 5-2 second choice African Rose and 5-1 third choice Natagora.
Paco Boy wins the Total Prix De La Foret (G1) |
Paco Boy returns after the race. Assistant trainer Richard Hannon Jr., son of trainer Richard Hannon Sr. said, "He's a lovely horse. He travelled very well today and has been most impressive all year. Some of the owners are quite keen to take him to the Breeders'Cup but we will have to see. He's adaptable and goes on any ground. Seven furlongs is his best trip but unfortunately there aren't many races at that distance so he often has to go up in trip. He's consistent and deserves this Group 1 win. He'll stay in training next year when the Lockinge could be an early target."
Left: Paco Boy with his winner's blanket in the walking ring.
Right: The trophy presentation for the Prix de la Foret. Winning jockey Christophe Soumillon added, "It was a great ride today, he's a very nice horse. I thank (regular rider) Richard Hughes for his good instructions on the horse."
Left: Second place finisher Natagora in the walking ring before the race. His trainer Pascal Bary said, "Once again a great race. Seven furlongs is her real sport. She's racing at the top since a long time and never missed an assignment, apart from the Prix du Moulin, last time out, when she was below par. I don't know what's next. It depends on what she does next season, whether she stays in training or not." Jockey Christophe Lemaire added, "She broke well and was relaxed throuhout the race. She took her breath in the false straight and gave everything after that, as this brave filly always does."
Right: Third place finisher Us Ranger returns after the race. His jockey John Murtagh said, "He ran very well although he missed the kick a bit. He pitched a bit coming out of the stalls so had some ground to make up. At this stage of the season, this is a good distance for him."
Bannaby wins the Qatar Prix Du Cadran (G1) over Incanto Dream and Orion Star |
Bannaby in the walking ring with his winner's blanket after the race. Winning trainer Delcher Sanchez said, "To win one Group 1 (King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot with Equiano) is difficult, but to win two is incredible! And especially as they have been at opposite ends of the scale for the distance, with 1000m and 4000m. He's finished now for the year and we'll start to dream about the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot."
Left: Bannaby returns after the race. Jockey Christophe Soumillon won both Group 1 races on Saturday's card and was punished after his second victory for "excessive use of the whip." Soumillon said, "It's Arc weekend and you've got to give everything. I don't think it's right that I should be punished, especially as I don't think I was excessive. I was striking the whip onto the rail and my whip was even broken."
Right: The trophy presentation for the Prix du Cadron
Left: Second place finisher Incanto Dream returns after the race. His trainer Carlos Lerner said, "I thought we would win this race and I was only wrong by a head! The horse took a little time to find his stride in the final straight and he arrived too late. The soft ground suits him well and if everything goes well he should take his chance in the Prix Royal-Oak (Gr 1, 26th October)."
Right: Third place finisher Orion Star goes by the first time. His trainer Henri-Alex Pantall said, "He ran very well. I would have preferred softer ground. I don't know if he'll run again this season, we'll have to see as he comes out of today because it was a tough race. He will stay in training next year."
Watar wins the Qatar Prix Chaudenay (G2) |
Watar after the race with his winner's blanket. Winning trainer Freddie Head said, "It was an impressive performance, but he may have been a little flattered as it was a small field and everything went right for us. We'll see how he comes out of this, but I see no reason why not to look at the Prix Royal-Oak. I hope he can develop into a Cup horse next season."
Balladeuse wins the Qatar Prix De Royallieu (G2) over Tres Rapide and Dar Re Mi |
Balladeuse returns after the race. Winning jockey Olivier Peslier said, "She accelerated very well having been tapped for speed on the descent. While some of the others got bumped coming through the field she got a clear run down the outside, and is an improving filly."
Spirito Del Vento wins the Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein (G2) for the second time with Sageburg second. |
Right: Spirito Del Vento gets a bit spirited before he heads back to the barn.
Left: Spirito Del Vento, who also won the Prix Daniel Wildenstein last year, returns after the race. Winning jockey Olivier Peslier said, "He ran a good race last time and he always shows that great finishing speed."
Trincot wins the Qatar Prix Dollar (G2) |
Right: Trincot heads back to the barn after the race wearing his winner's blanket.
On to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe - the feature race of the weekend
On to the 4 undercard stakes - including the Prix de l'Opera, Prix de l'Abbaye, Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, and Prix Marcel Boussac. All are Grade 1 races.
If you want to understand some of the differences between racing in North America and France, check here.
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