40-1 shot Solemia, a four-year-old filly that had never previously won a group I race, rallied past Orfevre in the final strides to win the $5,167,600 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I) at Longchamp on Sunday by a neck.
Ridden to victory by Olivier Peslier, Solemia was forwardly placed during the early stages of the twelve-furlong turf race, but several lengths behind pace-setting Ernest Hemingway. Fellow pacesetter Robin Hood was also right near the front early, as were Mikhail Glinka and Haya Landa. Camelot was tucked in toward the inside in fifth or sixth place, while Orfevre, St. Nicholas Abbey, and Great Heavens were toward the rear of the eighteen-horse field.
Entering the false straight, Ernest Hemingway was asked for everything he had, briefly opening up a substantial lead before retreating. Robin Hood also tired badly, leaving Haya Landa on the lead. Then Solemia made her challenge, moving up to take over the advantage.
Then things began to get interesting. On the far outside, Orfevre roared into the picture with a terrific turn-of-foot, bursting clear of Solemia and opening up a two-length lead. He appeared to be on his way to a runaway victory, but the four-year-old colt began to stall inside the final hundred yards. At the same time, Peslier guided Solemia to the outside, and the filly -- who had looked hopelessly beaten just momens before -- gathered herself and responded with a renewed rally that carried her past Orfevre to win the Arc in terrific fashion. The final time over the heavy going was 2:37.68 seconds.
Masterstroke, a three-year-old colt from the Godolphin barn, rallied mildly to secure third place, seven lengths behind Orfevre. Haya Landa stayed on well to finish a remarkable fourth at odds of 130-1, while Yellow and Green rounded out the top five. Great Heavens, Camelot, Sea Moon, Shareta, Bayrir, St. Nicholas Abbey, Meandre, Kesampour, Mikhail Glinka, Saonis, Ernest Hemingway, Aventino, and Robin Hood completed the order of finish.
The winner is a daughter of Poliglote out of Brooklyn's Dancer, by Shirley Heights. Bred and owned by Wertheimer and Frere, Solemia is trained by Carlos Laffon-Parias. Earlier in the day, they teamed up to win the group I Prix Marcel Boussac with Silasol, who was ridden by -- guess who? -- Olivier Peslier.
Solemia has now compiled a record of 5-3-2 from 13 starts. Her biggest previous victory came in the Prix de Pomone Haras d'Etreham (Fr-II) on August 11th. She entered the Arc off of a third-place effort in the prestigious Qatar Prix Vermeille (Fr-I) on September 16th, in which she was beaten by Arc also-ran Shareta.
-Keelerman
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