BC Turf Winner Tarnawa Victorious in Ballyroan Return

Tarnawa  made a comfortable winning start to a season geared around the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) in the Grant Thornton Ballyroan Stakes (G3) at Leopardstown Aug. 5.

The Dermot Weld-trained 5-year-old was cut across the board to 7-1 (from 8-1) for the Arc following an easy win under Colin Keane.  

Tarnawa was a little troublesome in the preliminaries but always looked in control. Sent off the 1-2 favorite, she traveled easily in midfield before beginning to pick off her rivals on the turn for home. She eased into the lead with a furlong to go, before being pushed out for an impressive 6 1/2-length win.

Tarnawa rose up the rankings in an extraordinary campaign last season, landing the Qatar Prix Vermeille (G1) and Prix de l'Opera Longines (G1) before toppling the likes of Magical  and Channel Maker  when victorious at the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) at Keeneland in November.

"She came here very fresh and well in herself," said Weld. "She's a great racemare. At all stages she was in cruise control, she wins the Breeders' Cup Turf on firm ground, and her two group 1s in France on softer ground so that doesn't seem to matter."

Weld revealed the Sept. 12 Longines Irish Champion Stakes (G1) would be her most likely next target.

He added: "It's a long season, but where she runs between now and the Arc will be the decision. At the moment I'd say the Irish Champion Stakes would be the most likely. We were fortunate to win the Vermeille last season, she could go well back this year again, but I'd say it's most likely she'd come to the Irish Champion Stakes."

2020 @BreedersCup Turf Winner TARNAWA returns with a victory in today's G3 Ballyroan Stakes @LeopardstownRC! pic.twitter.com/DcFTOpixAI

— TVG (@TVG) August 5, 2021

Snowfall  remains the 100-30 favorite for the Arc and Weld told the Racing Post yesterday he believes the standard of the runners heading to Longchamp is "as high as it's ever been."

It had already been shaping up to be the race of the season, but a taking comeback from Tarnawa has added further luster to this year's Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Dermot Weld tried to lower expectations ahead of her first start in nearly 39 weeks, warning that she wasn't as forward as other seasons when making a winning return—but nobody could have asked for much more from the Aga Khan's star mare and there was no sign whatsoever that she's lost any of her old ability.

In fact, this was seemingly more impressive than many would have envisaged beforehand, for all that she had a straightforward assignment on ratings.

Given her versatility in terms of ground—winning on heavy at Longchamp before scoring on firm at Keeneland in her last two starts of 2020—she looks the most complete Arc contender around as it stands, although that view was formed on evidence prior to this display.

Weld has yet to win the Irish Champion Stakes and the prospect of a clash back at Leopardstown next month with St Mark's Basilica  is one to savor, although Tarnawa does look more at home over 1 1/2 miles.

So much to look forward to as the various generations gear up to do battle.