Arrow Eagle Ends the Season in Style

The final Group 1 race of the season in France, the Prix Royal-Oak, run over the extended distance of 3,100 metres, was claimed by Arrow Eagle, the brother of champion Ace Impact (winner of the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club – Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe double in 2023). Racing in the colours of his breeders, Mr and Mrs Spanner, Arrow Eagle, who was tackling this distance for the first time, secured a confident victory under jockey Cristian Demuro, finishing two lengths ahead of the Irish runner Queenstown. Sevenna’s Knight took third place, just a short head behind. Arrow Eagle had previously finished a creditable sixth in the recent Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. This marks his first win at Group 1 level, following spring victories in the Prix d’Hédouville (Group 3) and the Grand Prix de Chantilly (Group 2). He brings a second Group 1 victory this year to the Jean-Claude Rouget stable. The trainer’s right-hand man, Jean-René Dubosc, commented: “Last time, he had a ‘too good race’, pushing himself a bit too hard. Today, the step up in distance suited him well. He will now head off for a break until April!”