Bluestocking wins the Arc on Sunday (Scoop Dyga)
Timeform
We provide the Timeform ratings reaction to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Sunday
BLUESTOCKING (Timeform rating 123 from 121)
More often than not, it takes a top-class performance to win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, but this year’s renewal was a substandard one, with a number of high-profile horses missing from the field, notably leading three-year-old colt City of Troy, who is heading to the Breeders’ Cup next month instead.
A couple from the home team were also ineligible due to being geldings, namely impressive King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes Goliath and Calandagan, and that also took some gloss of what is dubbed as one of the world’s most prestigious races, especially as this year’s winner, Bluestocking, had finished behind all three of those rivals at some point this season.
However, that is to take nothing away from Bluestocking, who was supplemented at a cost of €120,000, and showed slightly improved form to come out on top by one and a quarter lengths from Aventure (122 from 119).
She capped off a fine season, recording her third Group 1 success, and her first in open company rather than against just her own sex, and defeating the same rival she had done in the Prix Vermeille three weeks earlier, though Aventure was ridden more patiently in a race where it proved hard to make ground up from off the pace.
Bluestocking was well drawn in stall 3 and took full advantage, breaking well and getting the perfect position tracking eventual third Los Angeles, in a good position entering the straight and asked to go and win her race around two furlongs out, again displaying a determined attitude at the finish. She became the ninth filly or mare to win the Arc in the last 14 renewals.
This was due to be Bluestocking’s final race before heading off the paddocks, but her future will reportedly be decided in the coming weeks. Aventure, on the other hand, will stay in training next season and there are more good races to be won with her.
Arc winners this century ranked by Timeform rating:
136 – Sea The Stars (2009)
135 – Sakhee (2001)
134 – Sinddar (2000), Hurricane Run (2005), Treve (2013), Enable (2017)
133 – Dalakhani (2003)
132 – Rail Link (2006), Zarkava (2008), Workforce (2010), Golden Horn (2015), Waldgeist (2019)
131 – Danedream (2011)
130 – Bago (2004)
129 – Marienbard (2002), Treve (2014), Found (2016)
128 – Torquator Tasso (2021)
127 – Dylan Thomas (2007), Sottsass (2020)
126 – Enable (2018)
123 – Solemia (2012), Bluestocking (2024)
