Autumn is well and truly here, which means some thoughts will already be turning to Cheltenham, but the high quality racing just keeps on coming and we’ve got the biggest results from the weekend and a look ahead to a massive race this coming Saturday.
Golden Horn Wins the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
By far the biggest race of the weekend came from France as the legendary French wonder horse Treve looked to complete a historic hat-trick of Arc wins at Longchamp. The odds-on favourite had been opposed in the betting and drifted to odds-against as the drying ground seemed set to favour the brilliant Golden Horn.
Frankie Dettori’s Derby winner won the race in some style from Flintshire and New Bay, with Treve back in fourth. Dettori, winning the Arc for the fourth time, said that Golden Horn, who also won the Dante Stakes and Coral Eclipse, was “probably the best horse I have ridden.” He also said “I really believed in the horse. I was going so fast in the last 300 metres 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…”
Owner Anthony Oppenheimer supplemented him for this race, as he did for the Derby, and once more the money was very well spent, the €120,000 small change compared to the prize money for the richest turf race in the world. It is now thought Golden Horn, who travels very well, could target another of the world’s great races, the Breeders’ Cup in Kentucky. He is currently the 2/1 favourite for that.
Esoterique Wins the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket
Back in Britain there was a classy Group One at Newmarket, as Esoterique battled past Integral to win with a very well-timed run. The 11/8 favourite got a great ride from Pierre-Charles Boudot and needed it to prevent last year’s winner making it two in a row, with Ryan Moore continuing his comeback.
Five-year-old Esoterique could well opt for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot or head out to America for the Breeders’ Cup Mile and is currently 7/1 for the former.
Air Force Blue and Emotionless Set for Dewhurst Stakes Showdown
Looking ahead to next weekend and we could be in for another mighty battle at Newmarket, as Godolphin’s Emotionless and Coolmore’s Air Force Blue are both among the entries for the Group 1 Dubai Dewhurst Stakes. These two head the betting for next season’s 2,000 Guineas, with Air Force Blue priced at odds of 4/1 and Emotionless at 5/1 in the ante post betting.
