A crowd of 47,000 was on hand at rain-soaked Longchamp Racecourse in Paris for the €4 million (about $5.5 million U.S.) Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1). The unofficial middle-distance championship of Europe, featured a field of 16 going 2400 meters (about 1 1/2 miles) around one turn of the "Grande Piste" course. Undefeated 3-year-old filly Zarkava, taking on males for the frist time, was sent off as the even-money favorite exiting a win in the Prix Vermeille. The Coolmore entry of Duke of Marmalade, Soldier of Fortune, and Red Rock Canyon were one betting interest due to common ownership, as the 7-2 second choice over 7-1 Vision d'Etat.
Aidan O'Brian-trained Red Rock Canyon was sent to the front immediately as the rabbit for stablemates Duke of Marmalade and Soldier of Fortune, and he was loose on the lead 5 lengths in front with Schiaparelli, Zambezi Sun, and It's Gino giving chase. At the 3/8 pole, the pacesetters tired except It's Gino who stayed up front and was joined by Youmzain and Soldier of Fortune at the 1/8 pole. It's Gino looked strong on the inside with less than a furlong remaining but Zarkava, hidden in midpack under cover the whole way, found an opening between horses and came through in a flash, running right by them at the 1/16 pole and pulling away to an impressive 2 length victory over Youmzain in 2:28.20 over yielding turf. It was another 1/2 length back to 102-1 longshot It's Gino and Soldier of Fortune who dead-heated for show.
Results chart from Sporting Life
On to the undercard stakes - the Prix de l'Opera, Prix de l'Abbaye, Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, and Prix Marcel Boussac. All are Group 1 races.
On to Saturday Stakes Part 1 - the Prix de la Foret (G1) and Prix du Cadran (G1)
On to Saturday Stakes Part 2 - the Prix De Royallieu, Prix Chaudenay, Prix Daniel Wildenstein, and Prix Dollar
