PARIS: Golden Horn, ridden by Frankie Dettori, won the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe yesterday, denying French filly Treve a record third victory at Longchamp.
Dettori won the prestigious race for the fourth time with a fourth different horse as Epsom Derby winner Golden Horn beat Flintshire and New Bay, second and third respectively.
Treve, winner in 2013 and 2014, had to be content with fourth.
Dettori won the Arc de Triomphe in 1995, 2001 and 2002.
Treve is one of seven horses to win the race twice while Dettori became the seventh jockey to claim it four times.
“I really believed in the horse,” Dettori told the BBC. “I was going so fast in the last 300m I knew no other horse would pass me.
“I had the best horse and I wanted to show how good he is. His record is unbelievable and he is probably the best horse I have ridden.”
“Back on his favoured fast going, Golden Horn demonstrated his champion qualities here, qualities that led Frankie Dettori, who milked the occasion like only he can do, to suggest he’s the best of all of his dozens of Group One winners (eight this season alone now). After such a year it’s hard to argue with that.
“Trainer Criquette Head-Maarek offered no excuses for Treve, who retires as an undisputed superstar, though when asked for his verdict jockey Thierry Jarnet pointed straight at the ground.
“All the quality runners - Golden Horn, the reliable Flintshire, the French Derby winner New Bay, Treve, Erupt and Free Eagle - filled the first six places so you have to say a very good Arc won by a very good horse.”
The winning horse will head for stallion duties next season but could have one more run at the Breeders’ Cup in Keeneland, Kentucky at the end of the month.
“The owner is quite keen on the Breeders’ Cup. It gives us one day short of a month, he’s got a great constitution and he travels well,” said Gosden.
“If he’s in good order next week, there’s no reason why he can’t go there.
“I keep saying he’s a better horse coming from off the pace and he was today.”AGENCIES
