Aidan O’Brien to saddle up Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe favourite

In looking for his third Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe success master trainer Aidan O’Brien has his Irish Champion Stakes winner Luxembourg as the $4.50 Arc favourite.

In being rated 122 in the recent World’s Best Racehorse rankings, Luxembourg is stepping up to 2400m, having won the Royal Whip Stakes, also of 1¼m, and third in the 2000 Guineas.

To be again ridden by Ryan Moore for owners Coolmore and Westernberg, he won all three starts at two-years climaxing with the Futurity Trophy Stakes and earlier the Beresford Stakes.

Bred by Ben Sangster, and sold for 150,000Gns at the 2019 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, he’s by Coolmore’s classic sire Camelot from the family of Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Arcanques.

With the betting beginning to tighten, it’s the five-times Group 1 winning 5yo mare Alpinista who’s $5.50 for trainer Sir Mark Prescott, racing in the green and white colours of Kirsten Rousing.

At $7.50 is last year’s Arc hero Torquator Tasso and Prix du Jockey-Club winner Valeni, $9 for Grand Prix de Paris hero Onesto and $10 for Titleholder on winning the Takarazuka Kinen.

However, it’s the Australian champion Verry Elleegant who missed the cut in the 20 horse field of the €5m Arc de Triomphe, and is $3.50 for the Qatar Prix de Royallieu of 2800m on Saturday.

In coming off a 1½ length third in the Prix Foy, her second start in France, Verry Elleegant last won the Chipping Norton Stakes in February, having won the $7.75m Melbourne Cup in November.

To be ridden by Aussie Mark Zahra for Francis-Henri Graffard, she’s last season’s World Best Female Racehorse, twice Champion Australian Stayer and Australian Horse of The Year in 2020-21.

On the morning after, Monday 3 October, and after a two year COVID-19 delay the 56th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities returns as a an in-person event in Paris, France.

Hosted by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, its topics include Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, HISA, in the US and the broadening of racings appeal globally.

In also addressing climate change through sport, and learnings from the pandemic, the Conference highlights the work of the Federation and orient on the key current and future issues.

Stuart S. Janney III, Chairman U.S. Jockey Club, and Lisa Lazarus, CEO of HISA, will present on the enforcing of safety and integrity rules in US Thoroughbred racing into Federal Law in 2020.

The Conference will screed a Rishi Persad interview of Tony Parker, former NBA player and racing fan, that will delve into Parker’s experiences and insights on boarding racing’s appeal to new fans.

Emmanuel Vacher, PMU Chief Marketing Manager and Julien Levilain, Manager Director of Buzzman, the ad agency responsible for PMU campaigns, will discuss the topics with Persad as well.

Climate change is in the spotlight with Brant Dunshea, the BHA’s Chief Regulatory Officer and Project Executive Sponsor reporting on Environmental and Sustainability in British Horseracing.

The Conference will also examine what lessons have been learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and how different racing nations approached the challenges it has created.

Masayuki Goto, JRA President and CEO is expected to present, along with Vee Moodley CEO National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa and Daniel Krüger CEO of Deutscher Galopp e.V.

In addition, Carly Dixon, Executive General Manager, Stakeholder, Customer & Corporate Affairs of Racing Victoria will present as Executive Director of the 39th Asian Racing Conference.

With the 39th ARC to be held in Melbourne in February in 2023, Carly Dixon will forecast the Organising Committee’s vision with the early-bird registrations closing before Monday 3 October.

A live video stream of the Open Forum of the International Conference of Horseracing Authorities will be available on the IFHA’s website, along with live video stream and presentations replay