SUNDAY’S showstopper is nearly here.
They don’t come much bigger than the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and this year’s is no different. But who rate as our favourite winners down the years?
Treve – 2013, 2014
Arguably no horse in recent times has been associated with this race as much as Treve.
Trainer Criquette Head would circle this race at the start of each season and anything else was a bonus.
Twice Treve won brilliantly and she went down to Golden Horn when attempting to become the first horse to win three.
Frankie Dettori famously missed the ride on her in 2013 after breaking his ankle just days before. It was Dettori in 2015 who rode Golden Horn to end Head’s Arc dreams.
Sea The Stars – 2009
John Oxx’s three-year-old crossed the line to one of the most famous commentaries of modern times.
‘Perfection in equine form’ it was, and he completed a brilliant season in style in Paris.
A Guineas, Derby, Eclipse, Juddmonte International and Irish Champion Stakes were topped off with success in France.
Jockey Mick Kinane was ice cold as he brought the horse through on the rail turning in. A horse of a lifetime.
Hurricane Run – 2005
An Arc countdown would not be complete without an Andre Fabre-trained winner – he’s got eight of them on his mantelpiece.
Under Kieren Fallon, in the driving rain he battled home to win by two lengths. It wasn’t the prettiest, but the horse was given a peach by Fallon.
Injuries and niggles meant he struggled to kick on at four and defend his crown.
Dancing Brave – 1986
A first win in the Arc for the famous Khalid Abdullah silks now worn by Enable.
The late, great Pat Eddery rode this horse superbly and his trademark kick saw a high-class field left for dead.
At the time it was a track record and there aren’t many renewals or winners that stick out as highly as Dancing Brave.
Sea Bird – 1965
The Frankel of the days of black and white TV, Sea Bird dominated the 1965 Arc to win by six lengths.
Jockey Pat Glannon even managed to give him a pat down the neck as he eased down in front of the grandstands.
A rating of 145 was given to the three-year-old who was retired at the end of the season.
