A rundown of the main protagonists:
Amongst those standing in the way of the French charge are, the title holder Torquator Tasso, the Japanese and the English.
On Sunday October 2nd, the world’s best thoroughbreds will face–off in the Qatar Prix de
l’Arc de Tromphe (Group 1), which will take place at ParisLongchamp. With 90 days left until
the race, a clearer picture is starting to develop on both the International and domestic
front.
GERMANY – Torquator Tasso ready to defend his title
The five–year–old German raider Torquator Tasso bids to defend his crown! Trained by
Marcel Weiss, he was lacklustre when returning to action on May 29th at Baden–Baden, but
he has his own way of doing things and has never been at his best first time out! We saw the
real Torquator Tasso on Saturday, July 2nd, as he glided to success in the Group 2 Grosser
Hansa–Preis at Hambourg. Peter Michael Endres, co–owner of the horse said after the race
“With a horse like him you need to go to the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at
Ascot (Gr1, 23rd July) ! After that he will hopefully line–up in the Grosser Preis von Baden
(Group 1, 4th September) and then onto the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Gr1). I can sleep
soundly now as we seem to have the real Torquator Tasso back” Torquator Tasso will run
next in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, often nicknamed the
“English Arc” or “Summer Arc”… His main challenger could be the English 3yo Desert Crown,
who is trained by Sir Michael Stoute and was an extremely impressive winner of this year’s
Epsom Derby. The three–year–old is the bookies favourite for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de
Triomphe.
ENGLAND – English mare Alpinista impresses at Saint–Cloud
On Sunday July 3rd, Saint–Cloud racecourse held their Grand Prix (Gr1), which was won by
the English mare Alpinista, a five–year–old trained in Newmarket by Sir Mark Prescott.
Carrying the prestigious silks of Swedish owner and breeder Kirsten Rausing, Alpinista is
now unbeaten in her last six starts, with the final four being Group 1’s. Stronger than ever at
five, the mare made a successful return to action, following eight months away from
competition and equalled the course record in the process! A winner of three Group 1’s in
Germany last year, Alpinista beat Torquator Tasso in the Grosser Preis von Berlin. William
Butler, assistant to Sir Mark Prescott, said after her Grand Prix de Saint–Cloud success
“Last year, the Arc came at the wrong moment for her… This year, we have changed things
around and have based the agenda firmly around the Arc”.
JAPAN – Two Japanese runners confirmed
Amongst the seven Japanese horses entered for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe 2022,
there are already two confirmed runners according to connections, the four–year–old
Titleholder and the year younger, Do Deuce. Two exceptional racehorses, Titleholder is the
best older horse in Japan and took last month’s Takarazuka Kinen in a record time. His front–
running style will certainly add an exciting extra dimension to the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de
Triomphe. His trainer, Toru Kurita, said after last month’s victory.
“I said to his owner, “if we win then we are going to the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe” and
I think we will head straight there with Kazuo [Yokoyama, his jockey”
The second confirmed Japanese runner, Do Deuce, took the Japanese Derby. His owner,
Masaaki Matsushima, a businessman turned racehorse owner, who hopes to help his close
friend and Japanese superstar jockey Yutaka Take, realise a thirty–year dream of winning the
Arc! Masaaki Matsushima told the Japanese press:
“My dream is to see Yutaka Take win the Arc, I don’t mind who the horse is… If it is with one
of mine, then all the better, but I really would love to see him win it”.
FRANCE – The home challenge strengthens
With some of the main French hopes firmly en-route, and other just about to start their
journey, there are some interesting names and reputations already developing for this
year’s race.
CHANTILLY (Oise – 60)
Some French hopes are already crystal clear, including Sealiway (4yo), who was fifth in the
Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe last season and has just returned to Francis–Henri Graffard,
following a mid–season break. He has been aimed for the Arc all throughout 2022 and could
be joined by stablemate, Sweet Lady, who finished fourth in Sunday’s Grand Prix de Saint–Cloud, according to her owner Francis Teboul. “With her, we have plenty of options, we can
go to England or Germany, or even the Vermeille. We will try and prepare her for the Arc”.
MAISONS–LAFFITTE (Yvelines – 78)
Another mare who could join the line–up is Grand Glory, who was bought for €2,5m at
Arqana in 2021 by Haras de Hus, which is owned by Xavier Marie, a businessman who is well–
known in the world of sport. He took the desision to keep the mare in training and she is
stronger than ever, finishing third in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, a Group 1 disputed at
Royal Ascot. Gianluca Bietolini, her Italian–born trainer, based in Maisons–Laffitte said
“I’m thinking of giving her an easy time and coming back for later in the season. The
programme gives us two options following on from the Qatar Prix Vermeille – either the Prix
de l’Opéra Longines or the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe”.
Another potential French candidate is La Parisienne, who finished second in the Prix de
Diane Longines for Carlos and Yann Lerner. Her next start should be the Qatar Prix Vermeille
(Group 1), on September 11th.
DEAUVILLE (Calvados – 14)
Some contenders are likely to pop–up this summer at Deauville, including the three–year–old
Al Hakeem, an unlucky fourth in the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club… Trained in Deauville by Jean–
Claude Rouget, the colt should return to action on August 15th, in the Prix Guillaume
d’Ornano – Haras du Logis Saint–Germain (Group 2).
Press Release/Contact France Galop:
Héléna Dupuy – hdupuy@france–galop.com – 01 49 10 22 10
Emma Besnard – ebesnard@france–galop.com – 01 49 10 22 50
Mull It Over 