
Orfevre (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}) came from Japan for the 2012 G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and defeated most of the best colts and older horses in Europe. But he lost to a filly. He went back to Japan a month later and beat the best colts and older horses in Asia. But he finished second behind another filly. The 5-year-old came back for a second try at the Arc this past Sunday and soundly defeated the best colts and older horses in Europe and elsewhere, but he finished second behind yet another filly: undefeated Criquette Head trainee Treve (Fr) (Motivator {GB}).
What's happening here at the upper echelon of racing?
Two races later, the mare Moonlight Cloud (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) won her fourth consecutive race this year--all against the boys--in the G1 Prix de la Foret at 7 furlongs, for trainer Freddie Head, who also took the femme fatale Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa) to the U.S. for three annual wins versus the boys in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile.
![]() |
Moonlight Cloud Michele MacDonald |
English horses were nowhere to be seen among the top five finishers, but sixth place (of 17 horses) in the Arc went to Al Kazeem (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), even though he stumbled at the start after departing from the extreme outside post. However, the best Arc possibility from England may have been The Fugue (GB) (Dansili {GB}), who happens to be a filly as well, and who easily disposed of Al Kazeem and other males in the prestigious G1 Irish Champions S. at Leopardstown a month earlier. Trainer John Gosden reluctantly withdrew The Fugue from the Arc because of the soft going.
In leaving Orfevre in her wake, Treve had to overcome a terrible trip, racing outside, "nose against the wind," and yet she won by an impressive margin of five lengths.
![]() |
Treve Michele MacDonald |
The Japanese presence provided an exquisite layer of exhilaration to the ambiance at Longchamp. (It might be a good idea for race tracks around the world to import some Japanese fans.)
Maybe the next time, they will come to the Arc with a filly. That may be their best chance.
No comments:
Post a Comment