Treve Breaks Japanese Hearts Again In Arc
- Sunday, 06 October 2013 15:30
Treve demolished a high class field to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and emulate the great Zarkava in 2008 in landing the French Oaks, Prix Vermeille and Arc in the same season.
Jockey Thierry Jarnet, winning Europe's most prestigious race on Sunday for the first time since 1994, was a late replacement after intended rider Frankie Dettori cruelly fractured his ankle last week.
Criquette Head-Maarek's unbeaten filly, a well-fancied 9-2 chance, beat Japanese favourite Orfevre by five lengths with Intello in third while the other Japanese runner Kizuna was fourth.
Treve, owned by Sheikh Joann al-Thani son of the Emir of Qatar, took control of the race with three furlongs (600 metres) remaining opening up a sizeable lead which Orfevre valiantly tried to reduce.
However, Christophe Soumillon was unable to conjure up a similar burst of acceleration from last year's runner-up and instead he had to battle to fend off French Derby winner Intello for second.
Kizuna looked to have every chance but failed to quicken under Yutaka Take leaving Japan still without a winner in the race they dream of winning after 44 years of trying.
For Head-Maarek it was her second win in the race after Three Troikas in 1979.
"My husband turned to me at one point and said he was worried, I replied I'm not she's cantering!" said Head-Maarek.
"At one point her head went up in the air and looked bored but she has so much class and is simply a wonder filly that she focused and was never going to be beaten."
She also had words of sympathy for Dettori, who is the owner's retained jockey and rode her to victory in the Vermeille.
"I send my love to Frankie, he looked after her in the Vermeille because he knew the Arc was the target and I send him a big kiss."
Jarnet, 46 who last won the Arc in 1994, said: "My English is not good but this is fantastic, magic!"
For Sheikh Joann Al-Thani it was due reward for splashing out a reported 8million euros to then owner Alec Head - father of Criquette and himself trainer of four Arc winners - after she won the French Oaks in June.
Treve's charge to the top of the racing tree is all the more remarkable considering that when she was offered for sale as a yearling no one was willing to buy her for just 22,000 euros.
