Minor Setback Knocks Pyledriver Out of Arc

Dual group 1 winner Pyledriver  has been ruled out of next month's Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) at ParisLongchamp after suffering a minor setback.

A stunning winner of the Qipco King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) at Ascot in July, Pyledriver had been a general 14-1 shot to land the Arc but a soft-tissue injury has ended any hope of him making the prestigious group 1 in Paris on Oct. 2.

William Muir, who trains Pyledriver in partnership with Chris Grassick, said Sept. 8: "It's nothing to worry about but my vet says I can't gallop him on Friday or next week and if I can't gallop him I can't have him where I want to be so we're going to have to miss it.

"He's still exercising but he's just got a very minor setback and the vet said if I do gallop him, he might end up having to have a long-term rest. It's just one of those really annoying days that takes a lot of getting over.

"It's not as bad as the last time (he was injured) and it's just a very minor thing, but what I always do with any horse is do what's right by the animal because I don't want to make it serious."

Owned by the La Pyle Partnership, Pyledriver landed a first group 1 in last year's Coral Coronation Cup (G1) at Epsom and finished second in the same race to Hukum  this year before putting up a career-best performance when beating reigning Arc winner Torquator Tasso  by 2 3/4 lengths in the King George.

Muir is confident his stable star will back in action soon, with big-race targets abroad at the forefront of the trainer's mind.

"He'll be back and if he's back in time he will go to the Japan Cup (G1) or the Breeders' Cup," he added. "They're still all on the table and that's how frustrating it is.

"The vet said you might find that he's absolutely fine in three or four days but if I can't gallop on Friday and Tuesday, I can't go to the Arc in the condition I want him.

"I've had a long chat with the owners and they all agree we have to miss it. They're all very sad but I can't risk it.

"The Arc is the race we all wanted and where we planned to go but sometimes you have to look at the bigger picture. This horse has got longevity. He will definitely go to Hong Kong (in December) and to the (Dubai) Sheema Classic (G1) (in March) and could go back to the Arc next year."

Baaeed , who would need to be supplemented for the race, heads Coral's Arc market and is the 7-4 favorite to maintain his unbeaten record in Paris, with Darley Yorkshire Oaks (G1) scorer Alpinista  next at 6-1, Japan's Titleholder  at 8-1, and Torquator Tasso a 10-1 chance to retain his crown.