This Sunday, October 6, Bluestocking won the 103rd edition of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp. Ridden by British jockey Rossa Ryan, the English mare triumphed in a well-paced race, capping off an impressive season after her victory in the Qatar Prix Vermeille (Gr.1). At 24, Rossa Ryan secured his first Arc win, further establishing himself as a rising star on the international scene.
A Perfectly Managed Race
Starting from stall number 3, Bluestocking quickly positioned herself at the front of the pack, maintaining an energy-efficient pace with an average speed ranging from 34 to 37.5 mph over the first 1,200 meters. Running in second just behind Los Angeles, Bluestocking made her decisive move during the 600-400 meter split, reaching a top speed of 40.8 mph, which allowed her to take the lead. To maintain her advantage, she had to outpace her challengers in the final splits from 400-200 meters and from 200 meters to the finish line. After securing the lead, the Qatar Prix Vermeille winner from September 15 sealed the victory, finishing just ahead of Aventure by 0.19 seconds. Los Angeles rounded out the podium.
A First Arc Victory for Ralph Beckett
For British trainer Ralph Beckett, this Arc triumph marks a major milestone. After several previous attempts without success, this win rewards his meticulous preparation. Beckett had carefully brought Bluestocking to her peak condition for this race. Her final time of 2:31.58 demonstrates optimal energy management throughout the 2,400 meters, slightly off the record (Danedream’s 2:24.46 in 2011, with Found’s 2:23.61 in 2016 not counted as it was set at Chantilly), but enough to secure victory in this edition.
A Favorite Who Lived Up to Expectations
Touted as one of the favorites after her Prix Vermeille performance, Bluestocking lived up to the hype. Her gradual acceleration in the final stretch and ability to maintain a strong pace in the last 600 meters allowed her jockey to keep her ahead of the competition. With this victory, Juddmonte’s representative not only added a prestigious title to her record but also brought well-deserved recognition to her team in one of the world’s most demanding races.
Chloé Humbert
Crédit Photo : Scoop Dyga