the glorious uncertainty.

​The Qatar Prix de l’Arc Triomphe is a race for champions. The Arc winner is always a champion, at least that is what Brough Scott and the other I.T.V. presenters promised us in the lead up to the 100th running of the race. There was Adayar and Hurricane Lane, Tarnawa and Snowfall, there was all the way from Japan Chrono Genesis and Deep Bond. All champions-elect, all proven top-flight racehorses. There were differing opinions as to who the winner would be, though Kevin Blake being Kevin Blake he came down in favour of an outsider not even considered to be one of the champions-elect. Ed Chamberlain gasped when he asked for Kevin Blake’s selection and heard in reply Sealiway.
I’m not sure the German raider Torquator Tasso was even mentioned. You couldn’t blame anyone overlooking him, after all, wasn’t he beaten quite recently by one of Sir Mark Prescott’s, a mare not thought of the class required to even be entered in such a prestigious race?
But that is the glorious uncertainty of horse racing; one of the reasons we love it so much. Experts are not really bubbling with expertise, more awash with opinion gained from long hours with their noses in the form-book and their ears cocked in the direction of the grapevine. Your opinion, or even mine, is just as likely to prevail as any of the Racing Post’s top tipsters.
For instance, I did not think Adayar would be effective in heavy ground, long striding horses rarely are, at least in my opinion. So, one for me there. I was of the opinion that Snowfall hadn’t beaten anything of note this season and I remain convinced she is over-rated. I was confident that Hurricane Lane was the best of the three-year-olds and that is now confirmed in the form-book.
Did I completely dismiss Torquator Tasso? Of course. I hadn’t heard of the jockey, trainer or owner, nor, if I am honest, the horse either. German racing skirts around my panorama, again giving evidence of my ignorance. It was, though, a thoroughly deserved victory, with no real excuses for any of the other runners. As someone who finds joy in outsiders winning big races, the Arc this year was memorable and beautiful. I am sure the bookmakers are of the same opinion.
I am too lazy to do the research but these past two seasons, especially the past eighteen-months, have seen so many trainers and jockeys break into the limelight with initial successes in Group 1’s. Amazingly, this, too, was Rene Piechulek’s first Group 1. Equally, it was the trainer, Marcel Weiss’s first Group 1. Covid may be the greatest threat to all our individual freedoms – don’t get me started – but it has proved a godsent opportunity for the unsung of our sport. Long may it continue, the successes of the unsung, I mean, not the other thing.

Much was written last jumps season, especially during the months of March and April, about the dominance of the Irish and the poverty of English trained winners in the major races. Similar overtures of dire warning must be going on in France right now as French trainers had as good an Arc meeting as the English had at the Cheltenham Festival. On Saturday all the Group races went to English trained horses and on Sunday they only fared a little better winning the Marcel Boussac and Prix de I’Opera. The scoreboard was as embarrassing for the French as it was for the home trainers at the Chelteham Festival. 9 Group races went overseas, 1 to Germany, 1 to Ireland and 7 to England.
Finally, I hope the connections of Stradivarius hold fire on the decision whether to retire the old boy. John Gosden has told us so many times that Stradivarius prefers good ground and that soft ground does not play to his strength, which is his finishing kick. I was surprised he ran at Longchamp, given they have taken him out of races this season due to soft ground. Trueshan versus Stradivarius in the Ascot Gold Cup (already praying for good to good-to-soft underfoot conditions) would be a race to savour. Frankie versus Holly. Gosden versus the dual licence King Alan. Defeat at Royal Ascot, if he were to be defeated, and yes it will be time to say goodbye. But not at Longchamp in the churning mud. Let him be retired, Bjorn, at a racecourse and venue and in front of an audience who appreciate him for the champion he truly is, to honour him with a fitting and memorable farewell.