The Platinum Queen Crowned in Prix de l'Abbaye

The Arc produced a trend-busting result with Alpinista  becoming the first 5-year-old mare to triumph since 1937, and the Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp (G1) also broke from the norm as The Platinum Queen  had just enough petrol in the tank to provide the Middleham Park Racing syndicate with a moment to cherish.

The Richard Fahey-trained filly emulated Sigy, who in 1978 was the last juvenile winner of the Arc-day sprint.

Hollie Doyle, who rode The Platinum Queen, was quizzed Oct. 2 in the post-race press conference if she knew when the last successful 2-year-old was. The jockey was spot on, despite a nervous tone when answering the question.

She's done it! @HollieDoyle1 wins the Group 1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines on The Platinum Queen at @paris_longchamp for @RichardFahey pic.twitter.com/OQywm2ojo5

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 2, 2022

Second on Nashwa  in the Prix de l'Opera Longines (G1) in the race immediately before the Abbaye, Doyle dictated affairs on The Platinum Queen, whose brazen speed was evident when she bolted up in a conditions race at Glorious Goodwood.

That convinced connections to have a crack at older sprinters in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes (G1), and their pride and joy lost little in finishing a fine second to the top-class Highfield Princess .

The daughter of Cotai Glory  was then second back against her own age group in the Coral Flying Childers (G2) but—metaphorically on a rain-soaked Longchamp afternoon—had her day in the sun when just lasting out from fellow Yorkshire raider White Lavender  and close third Coeur de Pierre .

"She's done that brilliantly," said Doyle, whose mount was getting 21 pounds from most of the field.

"She had a bit up her sleeve and had the race put to bed, but idled half a furlong out. Luckily, I had some company and she stuck her neck out again.

"Her biggest asset is her speed, and she was either going to go on this (soft) ground or wasn't, but thankfully it worked out well. All credit to Mr. Fahey, who is an exceptional trainer of this type of horse.

"I was fairly confident, but it's been a fair few years since a 2-year-old has taken this race."

Deflecting credit for the victory, Doyle added: "She's danced every dance. It's a big win for the owners, Middleham Park, they're a great syndicate and they've got plenty of horses across the country. It's a big day for them.

"I got beaten on Nashwa in the previous race so to ride a winner in the next is great, but that's racing—it's up and down."

Most definitely up was syndicate member Trevor Kilby, who was seen on TV on his knees in jubilation immediately after the race.

"I was lucky to go to Newmarket for the breeze-up sales as a guest of a different syndicate," he said. 

"We saw every horse breeze and walk. I was in the bar in the evening and came up with the idea of an amazing name, The Platinum Queen.

"(Trainer) Karl Burke told me I had to reserve the name there and then. I saved it and said to the different syndicates, 'If you buy the right horse, I've got the right name', and Middleham Park Racing bought the right horse."

Kilby, just like Doyle on her Abbaye trivia, is correct about that.