French outsider Solemia got up on the line to edge out Japanese raider Orfevre and win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday.
Orfevre, Japan’s 2011 horse of the year, looked certain to claim his country’s first victory in Europe’s most prestigious race when he swept through to hit the front under Christophe Soumillon.
But the 7-2 chance hung right towards the rails and was caught by the fast-finishing Solemia, an unconsidered 41-1 shot, ridden by Olivier Peslier and trained by Chantilly-based Carlos Laffon-Parias.
“It’s the Arc,” beamed Laffon-Parias. I thought we were beaten in the straight, then I saw Orfevre stopping.”
“It’s fantastic, for the yard, for everyone,” said Peslier, claiming his fourth Arc after Helissio, Peintre Celebre and Sagamix.
A distraught Soumillon said: “He (Orfevre) did everything, but he stopped in the final 150 metres. It’s such a shame, he has so much potential.”
AFP gjw
