HINDSIGHT is a dangerous thing in horse racing.
But just why did most people ignore Torquator Tasso in yesterday’s classic Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe?
The German winner was rated 117. Now that’s 5lb short of Tarnawa but it’s not a crazy amount to make up.
Most importantly, Torquator Tasso is by Adlerflug, a sire who loves a muddy winner. And he’s a German raider. German horses are like Peppa Pig – they love muddy puddles.
Ironically the ante-post gamble for the Longchamp showpiece was Alenquer.
Now he’s also by Adlerflug. And he’s only rated 115. Oh my.
Search in the form book, and Torquator Tasso also has a second place behind In Swoop in the German Derby. And In Swoop was closing fast when narrowly beaten in last years Arc.
Quite simply, because most bettors had never heard of trainer Marcel Weiss or jockey Rene Piechulek, this was one that got away.
It was an a extreme specialist ground Arc. The winner was likely to be suited by that. Most of the others were not.
As such, Tarnawa ran a cracker under Christophe Soumillon and for me is easily the most talented horse in the race. She should go the Breeders’ Cup again now and will be hard to stop in the Turf.
Hurricane Lane will have left rider James Doyle frustrated just as he had been when second on Sea of Class a few years ago. The St Leger winner ran a cracker.
Adayar was a bit free and would have been helped by a pacemaker. He will come back for more in 2022 like Hurricane Lane for Charlie Appleby.
The latter played a blinder on ITV racing when he told the audience that the hurricane might be the superior on the day because of the going. Not many trainers would have stuck the lid neck out like that. Fair play.
Snowfall has lost her brilliance. But her Oaks wins were incredible. Like Love, she might just not be quite as good as we want her to be.
I was lucky enough to be at Longchamp for ITV. It really was a treat. And the gig was very unexpected!
I can’t thank the jockeys and trainers enough for all their help.
In particular, Soumillon was a gem in calling and sorting out times to meet him. Some good eggs out there.
Thank you all again. The next Arc the ground is bottomless. Ignore the German horses at your peril.
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