The European racing season comes to a conclusion at Longchamp in Paris on the first Sunday in October for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Five additional graded stakes races are contested on the Saturday before the Arc. The showcase event on Saturday afternoon is the €250,000 (about $353,450 U.S.) Prix de la Foret Casino Barriere de Biarritz (G1), a 1400m (about 7f) sprint for older horses. Tariq was sent off as the 8-5 favorite over Marchand d'Or at 7-5 and U.S. Ranger at 6-1.
However, 50-1 longshot Toylsome sprung a huge upset. Jockey Stephane Pasquier sent him to the front right away and he was stalked by 91-1 outsider Welsh Emperor around the far turn and into the stretch. The pair of longshots, the oldest horses in the field at 8 years of age, ran 1-2 the whole way, as Toylsome extended his lead through the stretch drive to win by 2 1/2 lengths over Welsh Emperor, completing the trip in 1:22.50 over the turf course rated soft. Marchand d'Or put in a late rally to finish 3/4 length back in third, while Tariq showed nothing late and was fifth.
Results chart from Longchamp
