The first Sunday in October remains fixed in the calendar as the day of the running of the premier horse-race in Europe: the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe ay Longchamps.
Yesterday, we were fortunate to witness one of the greatest racehorses of recent years winning the "Arc" for the 2nd time in succession, as TREVE also won the race last year. Since the race was first run in October 1920 there have only been 6 two-time winners, the latest of which was Alleged who won in 1977 and 1978.
What made yesterdays win particularly special was that TREVE had run well below the level of form she showed in 2013, especially in her final "prep" race the Prix Vermeille after which there were calls from some critics that the mare should be retired. Thankfully, the faith shown in the mare by her trainer Criquette Head-Maarek was repaid in abundance. No doubt about it, this was a tremendous training feat by Criquette Head-Maarek to bring the mare to the peak of her powers after such a disappointing performance last-time-out.
The manner of the victory was spectacular, with TREVE displaying a devastating turn-of-foot to quickly move into an unassailable lead and hold-off her persues in the final furlong. The quality of this performance is confirmed be the presence of champion race-filly TAGHROODA who was staying-on strong to be 3rd, but was still nearly 4-lengths behind the winner; and recent St Leger winner KINGSTON HILL who stayed-on well to be 4th having been up with the pace for much of the race.
As a consequence, I am a bit disappointed as the rating given to the performance by the Racing Post of just RPR127. This is 5lbs below the rating awarded to TREVE for winning the "Arc" last year. My opinion is that Taghrooda ran up to her Official Rating (UK) of OR125, and that puts TREVE on 131 for this performance. It also suggests that Kingston Hill just bettered his performance in the Derby, where he ran 2nd to Australia.
So, that's the end of the 2014 flat season for me (I've no interest in the Breeders Cup) and it is full-time jumps now till the Grand National next April. I've not yet posted a wager this season, but we are not far away from the initial selection.
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