Few figures in racing are as revered as Sir Mark Prescott, making Alpinista’s triumph in the 2022 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe a truly popular victory. The grey mare, owned and bred by Kirsten Rausing, steadily climbed the ranks before embarking on an unbeaten run of six Group One victories, culminating in her Arc success on a rain-soaked day at ParisLongchamp.
Alpinista had been kept mostly on good ground throughout her career, and heavy rain was the last thing her connections wanted to see in Paris. But the torrential downpour wasn’t Prescott’s first concern that day.
"The first thing I remember is our plane wouldn’t start, so we were diverted from Cambridge to Stansted, which put everyone on edge," Prescott recalled. "When we landed, the customs and police weren’t there to greet us, which caused a delay. It was one of the few times I saw Ms Rausing start to lose patience! She was ready to go, but we pointed out that we needed the jockey – so she waited."
After finally arriving, Rausing missed her lunch appointment, while Prescott and jockey Luke Morris went to walk the course in the pouring rain. "By the time we reached the paddock, all thoughts of winning had left us, despite Alpinista being the favourite," Prescott said.
With a terrible start to the day, Prescott had all but given up hope. "It took the pressure off. We were resigned to the idea that she wouldn’t win – and then she did, which was marvellous!"
Prescott fondly remembered the aftermath. "It was like trying to get a rock star out of a concert. Jean-Claude Rouget kissed me, and everyone wanted to shake my hand. In the taxi back, Ms Rausing said, completely straight-faced, ‘I always thought she’d win it.’"
Alpinista’s victory was especially sweet for Rausing, a renowned owner-breeder. The mare’s granddam, Albanova, had also been trained by Prescott to win the same three Group Ones in Germany that Alpinista later claimed, and her full sister Alborada was Prescott’s dual Champion Stakes winner.
"It wasn’t a total surprise that she turned out to be so good," Prescott noted. "She won first time out as a two-year-old at Epsom over seven furlongs. Her mother won over two and a quarter miles, so we knew she had potential."
After Alpinista’s three Group One wins in Germany in 2021, Prescott began to think she had a real chance in the Arc the following year, although his confidence wavered when a friend reminded him that no five-year-old mare had won the Arc since 1939. Alpinista missed the 2021 Arc but watched as Torquator Tasso, who she had beaten in Germany, pulled off a surprise victory.
"We never regretted missing the 2021 Arc, as no one expected Torquator Tasso to win," Prescott said. "But his victory made us think we had a chance the next year. German form is often overlooked, but after her three wins in Germany, she started gaining recognition when she won in France."