ParisLongchamp

Carried out in driving rain and accompanying gloom, Sunday's G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe went to Kirsten Rausing's Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}) who with her ever-whitening coat and mud-dappled white silks navigated what resembled a ploughed field like a trail of luminescence at ParisLongchamp. Taking the eye throughout as she made easy work of the swiftly-deteriorating conditions under Luke Morris, who had been in action on the all-weather at Wolverhampton the night before, the 10-3 favourite waited with all the learned patience of such a beautifully-nurtured 5-year-old for...

After the success for Nurlan Bizakov in the Lagardere, it was the turn of another rising force in French breeding Yeguada Centurion to enjoy the limelight as Blue Rose Cen (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) lit up ParisLongchamp in the G1 Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac, a "Win and You're In" for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Keeneland in November. Coming off a course-and-distance win in the G3 Prix d'Aumale Sept. 8, the Christopher Head trainee had the perfect tow in third as Aurelien Lemaitre contained her enthusiasm. Let loose...

Andre Fabre had only outsiders in the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, but Sunday's ParisLongchamp fixture's opener was a reminder that the general is still very much in the thick of it as Belbek (Fr) (Showcasing {GB}) captured the G1 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. Upstaged twice since his success in Chantilly's G3 Prix du Bois June 19 when fourth behind Blackbeard (Ire) (No Nay Never) in that track's G2 Prix Robert Papin July 17 and when fifth to this race's absentee The Antarctic (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in...

   After the early retreat of Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) and mixed signals from the Classic generation in general this summer, Sunday's G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe will provide more answers if not perhaps the categoric truth about how the generations compare on Sunday. In a fascinating renewal replete with conundrums, the best of the remaining 3-year-olds in action Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Onesto (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Vadeni (Fr) (Churchill {Ire}) and Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}) pit their wits against the matured might of Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente...

In the headlines for an infamous moment of pure madness on Friday afternoon, jockey Christophe Soumillon returned to the winner's enclosure aboard His Highness The Aga Khan's Erevann (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}--Ervedya {Fr}, by Siyouni {Fr}) after winning Saturday's G2 Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein at ParisLongchamp. The 'TDN Rising Star', who had earlier annexed June's G3 Prix Paul de Moussac at Chantilly, relinquished his perfect record when beaten two necks in the Aug. 14 G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville when last seen and lined up as the 7-5 pick...

Sent off the 5-2 favourite for Saturday's G2 Qatar Prix Dollar at ParisLongchamp, Shadwell's Anmaat (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}) justified that confidence to prevail in a battle with Junko (GB) (Intello {Ger}) in the 10-furlong contest. Brought along steadily by Owen Burrows last term and this, the 4-year-old had sprung to prominence last time when taking Haydock's G3 Rose of Lancaster S. by four lengths Aug. 6 and after taking cover in mid-pack looked the winner in early straight with Jim Crowley motionless. Sent to the front a furlong out, the...

Dominant in the stayers' sphere following an unbeaten five-race streak this term, Aidan O'Brien trainee Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}--Polished Gem {Ire}, by Danehill) sealed the divisional crown with an extravagant victory in Saturday's G1 Qatar Prix du Cadran at ParisLongchamp. The May-foaled chestnut, sent off as the 7-10 favourite for the 2 1/2-mile contest, had already devoured Royal Ascot's G1 Gold Cup, the G1 Goodwood Cup and the G1 Irish St Leger, but was bustled along to occupy a forward pitch in third entering the straight first time. Easing to...

Diverted to ParisLongchamp's G1 Qatar Prix de Royallieu after a headline-heavy week, G1 Melbourne Cup victrix Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) was unable to land a telling blow and trailed home seventh behind Sunderland Holdings' Sea La Rosa (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}--Soho Rose {Ire}, by Hernando {Fr}), who added to her pattern-race tally with a career high in the 14-furlong distaffers' feature. The William Haggas trainee arrived at the Bois de Boulogne venue having annexed Goodwood's July 30 G2 Lillie Langtry S. and Deauville's Aug. 21 G2 Prix de...

ParisLongchamp's mammoth Arc weekend opened with the G2 Qatar Prix Chaudenay, which went the way of Karl Burke trainee Al Qareem (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}--Moqla {GB}, by Teofilo {Ire}) after a thrilling finale to the 15-furlong contest. The 3-year-old gelding, who had snagged handicaps at Nottingham and York earlier this term, was last seen finishing seventh in Goodwood's G3 Gordon S. and went postward as an 11-2 chance. Tracking the leader in second until taking over at the entrance to the straight, he was scrubbed along when tackled approaching the quarter-mile...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Observations features several well-pedigreed runners in the Godolphin blue. 1.55 Killarney, Mdn, €15,000, 2yo, 8f 30yT THE PRAIRIE (IRE) (Galileo {Ire}) is the eighth foal out of the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Again (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and therefore a full-brother to the dual group 1-placed Delphinia...

The maximum number of runners in the 2022 G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Sunday, Oct. 2 will be 20, France Galop announced on Tuesday. The 2022 racing code and the specific race conditions limit the number of runners to 20 and this is the number that will be retained. If needed, elimination or ballotting procedures are as follows: Runners with the lowest rating will be eliminated sequentially. The rating is decided by the France Galop Handicapper Service. In the case of horses with the same rating, eliminations...

William Buick is likely to ride John and Thady Gosden's Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) in the Paris Longchamp in the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe after Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) was ruled out of the race in favour of the G1 Champion S. at Ascot. Prince Faisal's 5-year-old is a Group 1 winner in France, Dubai, and the UK, and, although he has yet to win in 2022, he has been in the top three in three of his four starts. Runner-up to Arc rival Vadeni (Fr)...