Treve Regains Brilliance to Post Arc Repeat
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Treve left both detractors and admirers in awe Oct. 5 as she raced unchallenged to a dominant victory in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I) for the second straight year at Longchamp.
Winless in three earlier starts this season, Treve had a clear path in the straight when a gap opened and charged up the rail to a commanding win by two lengths under Thierry Jarnet. She won last year's race by five lengths from Orfevre.
Flintshire was second and Epsom Oaks and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (both gr. I) victress Taghrooda was third after breaking from the difficult 15 hole in the 20-horse field. Ladbrokes St. Leger (Eng-I) winner Kingston Hill was a commendable fourth in overcoming the widest draw.
Owned by Sheikh Joaan Al Thani's Al Shaqab Racing and trained by Criquette Head-Maarek, Treve becomes the seventh two-time winner of the Arc. She joined Alleged (1977, 1978), Ribot (1955, 1956), Tantieme (1950, 1951), Corrida (1936, 1937), Motrico (1930, 1932), and Ksar (1921, 1922).
Treve was Europe's Horse of the Year in 2013 following an unbeaten season capped by the Arc. But with foot and back issues this year, the Motivator filly had failed in her three previous starts, including a close runner-up finish to Cirrus des Aigles in the Prix Ganay (Fr-I) in April at Longchamp in her season debut. In her most recent outing she was fourth in the Prix Vermeille (Fr-I) Sept. 14.
Jarnet, who posted a record-equaling fourth win in the 2,400-meter (about 1 1/2-mile) race said: ''I don't have words to explain what I'm feeling...She is the best filly I ever mounted, she is in a class of her own.''
The final time was 2:26.05 on turf rated as good.
Treve's connections indicated that she was retired after the race.
"She can go and visit some magnificent stallion like Dubawi," Al Shaqab racing adviser Harry Herbert said of the 4-year-old filly, who will join the broodmare band at Haras du Bouquetot, the Sheikh Joaan's stud farm in Normandy, France
Breaking from post three in the full field, Treve was forwardly placed early, with Jarnet settling her in fifth and sixth along the rail as Montviron set the pace. Perfectly positioned to pounce entering the stretch with the field spreading across the track, Treve accelerated with a raw speed that put about her about five lengths between her and her pursuers.
Recent Qatar Prix Foy (gr. II) runner-up Flintshire rallied with ground-gulping strides down the center of the course with Maxime Guyon and closed in on the filly but ultimately could not catch the winner. Classic winners Taghrooda was 1 1/2 lengths farther back in third and Kingston Hill another three-quarters of length behind.
"She is amazing, she is a dream,'' said Head-Maarek."I couldn't believe the gap that opened for her on the rails and then her burst of acceleration was extraordinary."
Completing the order of finish were Dolniya in fifth, followed by Harp Star, Prince Gibraltar, Just a Way, Ruler of The World, Al Kazeem, Avenir Certain, Siljan's Saga, Tapestry, Gold Ship, Chicquita, Spiritjim, Ectot, Ivanhowe, Free Port Lux, and Montviron.
Treve was bred by the Head family's Haras du Quesnay in France. Her dam is the winning Anabaa mare Trevise, a full sister to United States stakes winner Tsigane, who was grade I-placed. Her second dam, Trevillari, is a full sister to French group I winner Treble. Fourth dam Trillion was champion in the United States and Europe. Treve is a half sister to French group II-placed Trois Rois.