Golden Horn Impressive in Arc de Triomphe

Anthony Oppenheimer's 3-year-old colt Golden Horn, racing just behind the pacemaker, took off when asked in the stretch to comfortably win the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I) at Longchamp Oct. 4.

Heavily favored Treve, who was seeking her third consecutive win in the Arc, made up some ground late but didn't kick as usual to finish fourth, a nose behind New Bay. Flintshire, who always had Golden Horn in his sights, finished second as he did in last year's Arc, which is run at 1 1/2 miles.

Golden Horn defeated Flintshire by two lengths and covered the distance in 2:27.23 on good-to-firm turf.

Trained by John Gosden, who won his first Arc, and ridden by Frankie Dettori, Golden Horn is now a four-time group winner, including the Investec Derby (Eng-I) at Epsom. Golden Horn, by Cape Cross out of the Dubai Destination mare Fleche d'Or, was bred in Great Britain by Hascombe and Valiant Studs.

"He quickened so good," Dettori said. "What a champion."

Gosden said Golden Horn could ship to the United States for the Oct. 31 Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT). "The owner is keen on the Breeders' Cup," Gosden said. "It's a month away. If he's in good order, there's no reason we couldn't go there."

Criquette Head-Marek, who trains Treve for owner Al Shaqab Racing, offered no excuses. She said rider Thierry Jarnet indicated the 5-year-old Motivator mare ran her race.

"If they beat Treve, it's because they are all good horses," she said.

In her previous start Treve won the Qatar Prix de Vermeille (Fr-I) on soft turf at Longchamp. Gosden, in a show of respect for the mare, said the Arc could have ended differently if the ground had played differently.

"Probably on soft ground Treve would have blown us all away," he said.

Golden Horn would be eight-for-eight if not for a narrow second-place finish to upsetter Arabian Queen in the Sept. 12 QIPCO Irish Champions Stakes (Ire-I) on soft ground at Leopardstown.