The most memorable Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe races often revolve around the name of the winner: Dancing Brave in 1986, Sea The Stars in 2009, and Zarkava's final run in 2008. However, for those who were present, Arc day in 2006 stands out as one of the most unforgettable in recent decades, largely due to the horse that finished third. Deep Impact was not the first Japanese runner in Europe's most prestigious all-aged race, but he was by far the most popular. The combination of a seemingly invincible horse and his superstar jockey, Yutaka Take, drew tens of thousands of fans to make the 20,000km round trip to Paris for a two-and-a-half-minute race.
It was a peculiar yet inspiring experience to stroll through Longchamp's enclosures and grandstands, already packed hours before the main event, and realize that in the early 21st century, it was still possible for so many people to be captivated by a racehorse. The Japanese presence at Longchamp when their country has a fancied runner in the Arc has been a recurring feature since then. As the fans continued to flock, so did the disappointments, both for those at the track and the millions watching at home in the early hours of Monday morning. Orfevre's near-miss in 2012, when victory seemed certain, remains a particularly painful memory.
Despite frequent setbacks, Japan's passionate racing fans will return to Longchamp on Sunday to support Shin Emperor, the country's sole runner in a 16-strong field, and also, as a secondary choice, Joseph O'Brien's Al Riffa, who will be ridden by Take, 18 years after his defeat on Deep Impact. Shin Emperor has yet to win at Grade Three level in Japan, but his close third in last month's Irish Champion Stakes was a strong Arc trial. The race also benefits from not being the strongest Arc in recent years in terms of quality, with City Of Troy aiming for the Breeders' Cup Classic and two top-class geldings ineligible under current conditions. This makes it a wide-open contest, rich in storylines.
André Fabre, a legendary trainer, fields three runners – Sosie, Mqse De Sevigne, and Sevenna's Knight – in search of a record-extending ninth win, just two months shy of his 79th birthday. Look De Vega, the French Derby winner, runs for Carlos Lerner, an Argentinian who fell in love with racing during a visit to Chantilly and settled in France. Ronan Thomas, a journeyman rider, holds the reins, having won his first Group One in France aboard Look De Vega in June. Aidan O'Brien also has a strong contender in Los Angeles, the Irish Derby winner, but with only 9lb separating the entire field on Timeform ratings, the race is wide open.
If the French three-year-old form proves superior, either Sosie or Look De Vega could take the lead. However, neither matches last year's three-year-old winner, Ace Impact, in rating, and Shin Emperor may not appreciate a soft surface. This could be the year when Japanese fans leave Longchamp at least partially satisfied. British punters still view Take with suspicion after his fast-finishing defeat on White Muzzle in 1994, but he has repeatedly proven his world-class status. In Al Riffa, he may have found the horse to secure victory at Longchamp.
The four-year-old has been aimed at this race all year, coming from behind to challenge City Of Troy in the Eclipse and winning the Group One Grosser Preis von Berlin. At around 10-1 with British bookies, he is a strong contender with as good a chance as any favorite, offering an excellent bet for Take to cherish.
Meanwhile, Kyprios, the Gold Cup winner at Ascot in 2022 and 2024, became the first horse trained by Aidan O'Brien to win eight Group One races. Despite not dominating the field as he did two years ago, the odds-on favorite was never seriously threatened. Kyprios is now one Group One win ahead of O'Brien-trained champions like Yeats, Magical, Minding, and Rock Of Gibraltar, and is expected to remain in training next season, with a third Gold Cup success as the initial target.
At Newmarket, Inspiral finished second behind David Menuisier's Tamfana in her final race, the Sun Chariot Stakes. Tamfana took the lead under Colin Keane, and Inspiral finished well but was still two lengths behind. Menuisier expressed his delight, noting that Tamfana's victory was a significant achievement for her owners and a testament to her talent.
