Bluestocking and Sunway will fly the British flag in a competitive 16-runner field for Sunday’s Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp.
Bluestocking, trained by Ralph Beckett, secured her place in the Arc after being supplemented for €120,000 by owners Juddmonte. She impressed with a win in the Prix Vermeille last month over the same course and distance, and will start from stall three.
David Menuisier’s Sunway, a Group One winner as a juvenile, will have a tougher task after drawing stall 15. Though he has struggled to replicate last season’s form, including a third-place finish in the St Leger, he remains a key contender.
Look De Vega, the Prix du Jockey Club winner, has drawn stall eight and leads the betting, despite a recent defeat to Sosie, who will start from stall five. Andre Fabre fields a strong trio with Sosie, Mqse De Sevigne (stall 16), and Sevenna’s Knight (stall 12), with Mqse De Sevigne chasing a fifth consecutive victory this season.
Aidan O’Brien’s duo includes Irish Derby champion Los Angeles (stall 10) and last year’s St Leger winner Continuous (stall 14). O’Brien withdrew Auguste Rodin and Luxembourg but his son Joseph’s runner, Al Riffa (stall nine), also joined the fray after a Group One victory in Germany.
Japan is represented by Shin Emperor (stall 11), trained by Yoshito Yahagi, while the remaining field includes Delius, Aventure, Fantastic Moon, Zarakem, Survie, and Haya Zark.