A look back at Arc weekend and a look ahead at the horseracing this week
What a weekend of action we got to enjoy with some excellent horseracing and fittingly some excellent performances not least of course Ace Impact winning the Arc. Yes I am slightly biased as I backed him but he proved he is one of the very best about right now and, if he runs again this year and at four, we may just have a great to talk about in the future. Unbeaten in six starts including the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club and now the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe I'd love to see him travel for either Champions Day at Ascot or over to the States for the Breeders Cup Turf but will connections take a chance? Reading between the lines, and taking a peak at the ante-post markets, it seems unlikely that we will see him at Ascot or Santa Anita. It could be that we will see him next at the end of November at Tokyo Racecourse for the Japan Cup; nominations close this Tuesday, 3rd October. I noted trainer Jean-Claude Rouget saying immediately afterwards “I don’t know if he will go straight to the stud or run next year. It will be decided between the two owners and me, but I don’t know yet.” Interestingly Pauline Chehboub, representing part owners Gousserie Racing, said “It was a dream to be able to run the horse against all those champions in that race today. Obviously we have to take some time and see how the horse is after his race and then discuss it with the whole team, to see what is next. The Japan Cup is one of the greatest races on the whole planet, so we we will see. It’s not a no, but we don’t know about the future.”
Hopefully we will see the colt again on a racecourse and fingers crossed they will run him at four as it would be fascinating to see what he might achieve next year. Having not run as a two-year-old he has relatively few miles on the clock and could improve yet plus it should be remembered his sire Cracksman was no slouch at four.
As for the week ahead we have a few days to catch our breath as unsurprisingly it is somewhat quieter for a few days after the hectic weekend. It is another busy weekend mind you with Ascot hosting a big card and the Group One Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday to look forward to. Out in the States we might get a pointer or two for the Breeders Cup as well with the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes at Belmont Park.
Hopefully we will see the colt again on a racecourse and fingers crossed they will run him at four as it would be fascinating to see what he might achieve next year. Having not run as a two-year-old he has relatively few miles on the clock and could improve yet plus it should be remembered his sire Cracksman was no slouch at four.
As for the week ahead we have a few days to catch our breath as unsurprisingly it is somewhat quieter for a few days after the hectic weekend. It is another busy weekend mind you with Ascot hosting a big card and the Group One Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday to look forward to. Out in the States we might get a pointer or two for the Breeders Cup as well with the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes at Belmont Park.