2012 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe - Sunday 6th October
Some of the World’s best racehorses will descend upon Longchamp
this weekend for one of the biggest races of the year. But even now, a week
before the race, there is yet another twist in the story that is the 2012 Arc.
Snow Fairy was the first casualty, after winning the Irish
Champion Stakes in good fashion; she became the horse everyone wanted to be on.
The year before, an injury nearly ended her career, but she bounced back better
than ever, however when pulling up after training with heat in the tendon, Ed
Dunlop pulled the mare from the race, not wanting to risk causing her serious
damage.
Today news reaches us that last year’s impressive winner
Danedream could be pulled from the race too. The Peter Schiergen trained Danedream
is currently stabled at Cologne racecourse, which today was put into quarantine
for 3 months. Horses are not allowed in or out. The reason being; a horse has
tested positive for Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA), the horse in question was
stabled the other side of the track from where Danedream was stabled.
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| German Star Danedream has every chance if allowed to take part |
So far Danedream has shown no signs of being infected and
all horses will be tested in the next couple of days. The owners remain “very pessimistic”
that she will get clearance to run. Danedream has been in cracking form
recently winning the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth stakes in July and then
onto win, the Group 1 Grosser Preis Von Baden, and if cleared to run, will be
very much a horse to beat.
Another development is of this year’s Derby winner Camelot,
who if runs will not be partnered but regular jockey Joseph O’Brien. Joseph’s
minimum weight is 8lb 13 at a push, but the Arc’s weight is 8lb 11. A decision
is expected on the next day or 2 to see if Camelot is to partake. Rumours
circulated after Camelot’s only defeat in the St. Leger that he will now finish
for the season. So in the next 2 days we will learn if 2 leading contenders are
in or out of what will be one of the best line ups for a while.
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| Camoelot could be finished for the season |
This year’s line-up includes the Japanese Triple Crown
winner Orfevre, only the 7th horse to achieve this title. This
emerging superstar had his odds slashed after a very workman like performance
in the Prix Foy, beating the very useful Meandre; he is now clear favourite for
the race. Connections are said he is sure to improve from the Prix Foy.
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| Japans Triple Crown Winner is favourite to win the race |
Meandre, who came 6th last year, has trainer
Andre Fabre hopeful that the horse can win him another Arc since Sagamix back
in 1998. Andre Fabre blamed a long season last year where he started racing early
and was tired by the end of the year, for being the reason why he only managed
6th, however this year he feels Meandre is much stronger and means business.
Last year’s 2nd Shareta’s connections believe
that she is in much better shape than last year and has every chance to go one
better. After an impressive victory in the Prix Vereille, this filly goes to
the Arc in amazing form
Popular Nathaniel also lines up on Sunday. 2nd to
Snow Fairy in the Irish Champion Stakes at the beginning of September, was made
remarkable because John Gosden freely admitted that Nathaniel was not fully
fit. The race was only seen as a prep race for the Arc. Nathaniel has shown
very solid performances all year and is another horse that has every chance.
Other horse’s still entered in the race include Aiden O’Brien’s
St Nicholas Abbey, who has had a very mixed season, including meeting up with
Frankel, and being soundly beaten by him. But also has won the Coronation Cup
at this year’s Royal Ascot meeting and more recently being beaten by Snow Fairy
and Nathaniel into 3rd in the Irish Champion Stakes.
Sir Michael Stoute’s Sea Moon, winner of the Group 2 Hardwicke
Stakes is another and so is last year’s 9th in the race Galikova,
who has been very lightly raced this year, and has so far showed none of the
promise from last year since winning the Prix Vermeille over a year ago.
No matter what happens in the next few days, Sunday will still bring some of the best racehorses around, and is sure to be as thrilling a race as always. But it will be sure to benefit from the appearance of Danedream and Camelot, and as a racing fan, I hope both will be there
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