Andre Fabre is looking forward to a second tilt at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with Meandre following his Group One success in Germany on Sunday.
Fabre is the most successful trainer in Arc history, having saddled seven previous winners of Europe’s premier middle-distance prize.
Meandre was sixth in last year’s Arc behind Danedream, winner of Saturday’s King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and Fabre believes his colt is stronger ahead of a rematch.
“I don’t think horses improve from three to four ability-wise, they just get stronger,” Fabre said.
“We knew Meandre was a good horse last year. He showed us the talent, but he is stronger this year and therefore easier to train.
“Last year he started the season very early and I think by the end of the year, he was tired.
“He was sixth in the Arc last year and we hope he can improve on that this season.”
Following an inauspicious start to his four-year-old year, Meandre has now won consecutive top-level prizes, backing up his Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud victory over Danedream with a fine effort in Sunday’s Grosser Preis Von Berlin.
He is set to have one more run before the Arc, with recognised trial the Prix Foy his most likely target, although he could return to Germany for a potential pre-Arc clash with Danedream in September.
“I was very happy with his performance and his next race will probably be his trial for the Arc, the Prix Foy,” said Fabre.
“The other option is the Grosser Preis Von Baden in Germany. It will be one of those races and then the Arc.”
