The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe card is Europe's answer to the Breeders' Cup and helps to settle the European year-end championships in several divisions with five Group 1 races on the card in addition to the Arc. All races on Arc day are contested over the "Grande Piste" (outer turf course) except the Prix de l'Abbaye which is run over the "Ligne Droite" or straight line course. Racing conditions were ideal with sunny skies and temperatures in the high 60's.
The distaff equivalent of the Arc is the €250,000 (about $353,300 U.S.) Prix de l'Opera Casino Barriere d'Enghien les Bains (G1), with a field of 11 older fillies and mares going 2000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles). 3-1 second choice Satwa Queen settled at the back of the field early, well off the pace set by 17-1 Mystic Lips, then moved up to challenge for the lead at the top of the stretch. Under jockey Thierry Thulliez, she wore down 15-1 Promising Lead through the final 200 meters to prevail by a head in a time of 2:03.80 over the "good to soft" going. It was another head back to 18-1 Legerete in a blanket finish. 8-5 favorite Light Shift stalked the pace early but faded through the stretch to finish sixth.
