Solemia victorious in Arc
October 07, 2012 16:05:04 UK
Rank outsider Solemia ridden by Olivier Peslier upset the odds to claim victory in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.
The four-year-old saw off the challenge of Orfevre to claim the prize and in doing so claimed one of racing's biggest prizes, as favourite Camelot never mounted a serious challenge.
After Robin Hood and Ernest Hemmingway had made the early pace, Orfevre ridden by Christophe Soumillon began to take control and victory looked a certainity as the Japanese star raced into the three-length lead.
It was however not to be 13th time lucky for Orfevre, as a late burst by Solemia, trained by Carlos Laffon-Parias, secured by a head the famous victory.
Commenting on the win, Laffon-Parias was full of praise for both his horse and jocky Peslier.
"She had a hard first part of the season so we gave her a two-month break and started to prepare her for the Arc," he said.
"Soft ground is very important to her, but Olivier made the difference. I hoped she might get a place and obviously this is much better."
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