€5mQatar Arc de Triomphe (Gr1): Bluestocking leads fillies 1-2 in eventful edition

ParisLongchamp, France – October 6, 2024 – Winner of the Qatar Prix Vermeille (Gr1) over Aventure (Sea the Stars), the English filly Bluestocking (Camelot) has won again, this time in the €5m Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, for breeder-owner Juddmonte Farms, the operation of the late Prince Khalid Abdullah, already six times successful in the race and now the sole leader in the greatest race on the French program, ahead of Marcel Boussac.

The 4-year-old filly travelled the leaders on a very soft ground by the morning's rain. The race was led by Los Angeles (Camelot) ahead of Bluestocking and the favourite Sosie (Sea the Stars), while Haya Zark (Zarak) broke down going down the hill. Zarakem (Zarak) was well placed on the rail with Aventure (Sea the Stars) at his side. In the final straight, Los Angeles tried to take off, but Sosie quickly attacked him, then Bluestocking and Aventure, who set off in pursuit. Bluestocking kept a good length's lead, and Los Angeles, brave as ever, passed the post in third place, a length and a half down, ahead of Sosie, who faltered on ground that was probably too soft for him. The stayer Sevenna's Knight finished well in fifth place ahead of Zarakem.

Bluestocking is out of the Matron Stakes (Gr1) winner Emulous (Dansili)

Her elder sister, 8-years-old War and Peace (Frankel), was sold last December for £190,000 at Tattersalls, in foal to Pinatubo, to Henry Lascelles, and her Too Darn Hot filly, Cathedral, made €800,000 at Arqana breeze-ups in May.

What connections said:

Ralph Beckett – the trainer of Bluestocking (1st) - Britain

«After the Juddmonte International, we decided on a return to the races restricted to fillies/mares. Bluestocking ran so well in the Vermeille, and it was a very tough renewal, that we thought about supplementing her for the Arc. She came out of the Vermeille in good order and so we just kept her healthy and happy until the Arc.

It seemed like an interminable race in the straight! I was worried that another horse would come and head her at the business end, as happened with Westover last year, especially as Bluestocking kicked for home early. I grew up watching the the likes of Rainbow Quest and Dancing Brave: it's a privilege to train for Juddmonte and a great honour. »

Rossa Ryan - the jockey of Bluestocking (1st)

« I was pretty confident before the race. I'm just happy to have been able to team up with Bluestocking. »

Christophe Ferland – the trainer of Aventure (2nd) - Chantilly (Oise)

«  It's the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe! There were a lot of questions about whether Aventure should go for the Arc or the Prix de l’Opéra. There was a pivotal moment which can be summed up in one sentence... and it’s when Pierre-Yves Bureau said, ‘We have the best filly over 2,400 metres’, and I replied, ‘And so why run her over 2,000 metres?’ The filly's entourage asked me if I wanted to go for  the Arc and my answer was: ‘Yes. I can't promise a a top three finish, but she's going to run one helluva of race.’ And that's exactly what she did! You have to dare to dream and I've got the owners to do that They're two gentlemen who know how to win and how to lose . Pierre-Yves and I always say that we win and lose together. These are magical moments. Aventure will be even better at four! »

Pierre-Yves Bureau – the racing manager of Wertheimer & frère – the owner-breeders of Aventure (2nd) and Sosie (4th)

«It’s a magnificent result! Aventure is a very light-framed filly and quite impressive at that The winner is better as we saw in the Prix Vermeille. Sosie was less at home on this ground, as was clear for all to see in the straight. Despite the very good level of the horses in the race, the ground was a great leveller. Sosie acts well at Longchamp but Aventure had run very well in the ‘Vermeille. We knew that both would run well, but we were sure of one thing regarding Aventure: that this morning's rain would be to her advantage. Both will remain in training. As things stand, they won't race again this season because it's been a long season for both horses. »

Aidan O’Brien – the trainer of Los Angeles (3rd) - Ireland

‘Los Angeles ran a great race. We'll see how he comes out of the race, but it’s possible that could go for the Champion Stakes (Group 1).’