Barry Mahon(Juddmonte): “The Arc really is one of the major highlights of our year”
WEEK-END OF
QATAR PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE
Barry Mahon(Juddmonte): “The Arc really is one of the major highlights of our year”
Key statements from the press conference
Barry Mahon is General Manager of Juddmonte Ireland and oversees the organisation’s European racing operations. He joined the operation founded by Saudi Prince Khalid Abdullah, who passed away in 2021, in 2017, before taking responsibility for Juddmonte’s European horses in training in 2021, liaising in particular with trainers in Britain, Ireland and France. His connection with Juddmonte is also a family one: his father, Rory Mahon, has worked for almost forty years at Ferrans Stud in Ireland, where all of Juddmonte’s European yearlings are now broken in.
Juddmonte is one of the most successful operations in the history of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. The Abdullah family colours have been carried to victory in the race on seven occasions, by Rainbow Quest (1985), Dancing Brave (1986), Rail Link (2006), Workforce (2010), Enable (2017 and 2018) and Bluestocking (2024).
Bluestocking’s success enabled Juddmonte to set a new record of seven Arc victories as an owner in 2024, drawing level with the Aga Khan dynasty. That record lasted only one year: in 2025, Daryz gave the Aga Khan family an eighth victory in the Arc, leaving them alone at the top of the standings ahead of Juddmonte.
Juddmonte has also bred six Arc winners: Rail Link (2006), Dancing Brave (1986), Workforce (2010), Enable (2017 and 2018) and Bluestocking (2024). Its first winner, Rainbow Quest, was bred by Alan Clore.
This year, Kalpana will be Juddmonte’s sole representative in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Sunly, who had also been considered for the race, will instead be aimed at the Qatar Prix de Royallieu (Gr1).
On the importance of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe to Juddmonte
“The Arc really is one of the major highlights of our year. As early as March, we start discussing which horses might be capable of taking part. Some years, things are fairly straightforward and the decisions are easier to make. In other years, they are much more difficult. The Arc is an incredibly hard race to win. Even this week, we were looking back at previous editions and at the incredible horses who have managed to win it.”
On Kalpana’s participation
“Initially, both Kalpana and Sunly were being considered for the Arc, but the owners eventually decided that Kalpana would be our sole representative. This season, her campaign and performances have really been geared around running in the Arc.
She is currently fourth in the betting. Daryz is an incredible horse, although I think good ground could perhaps be slightly against him. You must have a lot of respect for Maltese Cross. William Haggas is not usually someone who displays absolute confidence, but if you listen to his last six interviews about the horse, he sounds 100% confident. To my mind, his horse looks very ready for the Arc.
As for Thundering On, Joseph O’Brien’s filly, no decision has yet been made about whether she will run. Nothing is certain yet regarding Aidan O’Brien’s runners either, but you always have to have a great deal of respect for whatever he sends.”
On her experience in the 2025 Arc
“She ran in the Arc last year. Unfortunately, she was drawn badly and then lost one of her cheekpieces around the final bend. Andrew Balding has bought some new ones, which we hope will stay on this time! You also need luck in the Arc. As for the draw, that is in God’s hands.”
On the ground
“When she was four, we thought she probably needed softer ground. But this year, at five, she has shown us otherwise. Her best performance of the season came in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr1) on good ground. Given the conditions currently expected for the Arc, that could therefore be a positive for us.”
On her condition a few days before the Arc
“She worked on Wednesday and Andrew Balding told us she was still in very good form. The most important thing is that she is still showing the same enthusiasm she had at the start of the season. So we are really hoping for a very good performance from her.”
On the decision to run Sunly in the Qatar Prix de Royallieu
“The decision regarding Sunly is mainly based on two factors. She prefers softer ground, which is not expected for the Arc. She has also shown in the past that stepping up in distance should suit her. That should therefore be an advantage in the Qatar Prix de Royallieu. If she stays in training next year, she could then become our Arc contender.”
On Kalpana’s jockey
“Colin Keane will ride Kalpana.”
