Connections are holding off until the last possible moment to confirm Fantastic Moon's participation in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
The four-year-old colt, trained by Sarah Steinberg, is Germany’s top racehorse, boasting six Group wins for owners Liberty Racing. Among these triumphs are the German Derby and last year’s Prix Niel, where he followed in the footsteps of his sire, Sea The Moon, and positioned himself for a potential Arc bid in 2023.
In last year’s Arc, Fantastic Moon struggled with the good-to-soft ground at ParisLongchamp, finishing 11th in a 15-horse field. However, he's returned in strong form this season, claiming a Group Two victory in Cologne before narrowly missing out on the Group One Grosser Dallmayr-Preis by a length in Munich. A subsequent win in the Grosser Preis von Baden reignited hopes for another Arc challenge, but persistent rain threatens his participation unless conditions improve by race day.
"At this moment it’s 50-50; we’ll wait for the ground on Sunday morning," said Liberty Racing’s Lars-Wilhelm Baumgarten. "We’re hoping for a reading of 3.5 on the French going stick. Anything above 3.6 won’t allow him to perform at his best, so if the ground exceeds that, we won’t run."
"We’ll decide on Sunday, potentially even after the first or second race if rain comes. It’s a very competitive Arc, and we have a top horse, so fairground is essential."
"With sun expected on Friday and Saturday, there’s a chance the conditions will improve. Right now, I’d say it’s 50-50. If we can’t run, our plan B is the Breeders’ Cup Turf."