Al Riffa firmly established himself as a contender for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with a commanding victory in the Group One Westminster 134th Grosser Preis von Berlin. After finishing behind City Of Troy in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown last month, Joseph O’Brien’s four-year-old tackled the mile-and-a-half distance for the first time at Hoppegarten.
Under Dylan Browne McMonagle, Al Riffa tracked the early leaders, Tunnes and Lips Prince, before making his move around two furlongs from home. He surged past the leaders and quickly opened up a clear advantage, finishing strongly despite only being nudged along in the final stages. He won by five lengths from Narrativo, who closed well.
Charlie Appleby’s King Of Conquest, seeking a hat-trick after Listed wins at Goodwood and Newmarket, never posed a threat and finished last of the seven runners.
O’Brien commented to Wettstar that it had been a fantastic day, with Al Riffa delivering an impressive performance. He praised Dylan Browne McMonagle for giving the horse a superb ride and expressed pride in the horse's achievements. Noting the busy season Al Riffa has had across France, the UK, America, and Germany, O’Brien indicated that the horse would likely have a short break before being prepared for the Prix de l’Arc.
This victory marked Al Riffa’s second Group One win, his first at this level since his juvenile success in the National Stakes at the Curragh. Paddy Power responded to his win by shortening his odds for the Arc from 20-1 to 14-1.