Bluestocking Leads Successful Longchamp Raid

The first weekend in October is always one of the key dates in the racing diary as the Paris track of Longchamp hosts the glorious Arc Meeting. The titular event of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe takes centre stage, but the supporting cast isn’t too bad either, with no fewer than 11 Group contests – including eight Group 1s – crammed into a spectacular two days of action.

With vast riches and prestige on offer, this fixture invariably sees the crème de la crème of the French racing scene tackle the most talented contenders from Britain, Ireland, Germany, Japan, and beyond. The British and Irish trainers showed up in force in 2024 and headed home across the Channel with the lion’s share of the loot. Of the 16 events on offer, nine were claimed by a runner from a British or Irish yard. Let’s meet the stars of 2024…

Illinois – Qatar Prix Chaudenay (Group 2)

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Sire: Galileo

Aidan O’Brien may have come up short in the main event, but he didn’t miss many other targets over the two days. Starting as he would mean to go on, the Ballydoyle maestro saddled the first of three Galileo-sired winners in the opening event of the meeting. Second to Sosie in the Grand Prix de Paris, beaten a neck by Los Angeles in the Great Voltigeur, and going down by a neck once more to Jan Brueghel in the St. Leger, Illinois gained his day in the sun in this 1m7f affair. 

Headed over 1f out, the mount of Ryan Moore called upon that renowned Galileo determination to get back up and score by a comfortable 2l. Whether Illinois returns to the track in 2024 remains to be seen, but he looks like a horse to keep onside in the major staying events in the coming years.

Kyprios – Qatar Prix du Cadran (Group 1)

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Sire: Galileo

To the surprise of no one, the O’Brien theme continued in race two as the mighty Kyrpios bagged the big staying event for the second time. This victory wasn’t as emphatic as the 20l demolition job the colt produced in 2022, but the result never looked in doubt. 

Allowed to set his own fractions in front, the king of the staying division kicked clear in the straight to score by an easy 2l. Having missed the majority of 2023 through injury, this bonafide superstar has now reclaimed his crowns in the Vintage Crop Stakes, Saval Beg Levmoss Stakes, Ascot Gold Cup, Goodwood Cup, Irish St. Leger, and Prix du Cadran. Next stop, the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot.

Mount Kilimanjaro – Arqana Series – Haras de Bouquetot Criterium d’Automne (Conditions)

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Sire: Siyouni

Mount Kilimanjaro isn’t sired by Galileo, but his dam Decorating is – continuing an outstanding meeting for the greatest stallion of all time. Unlike Illinois and Kyprios, this juvenile had yet to suggest he was up to landing a significant event – two starts in Maiden company yielding two defeats by a combined 10l. Nevertheless, the market liked the chances of the 29/10 favourite. First off the bridle, things looked a little ominous in the straight, but Mount Kilimanjaro found admirably under pressure to forge 1¾l clear at the line.

Grateful – Qatar Prix de Royallieu (Group 1)

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Sire: Galileo

Completing O’Brien’s opening day four-timer and Galileo’s hattrick was this impeccably bred three-year-old filly. Pairing Galileo with the six-time Group/Grade 1 winning mare Tepin looked like a dream combination on paper, and, barring the odd blip, Grateful is endeavouring to deliver on that potential. 

Arriving at Longchamp with two wins from six starts, headlined by the Group 3 Stanerra Stakes, Grateful was passed over by Ryan Moore, who opted to ride Port Fairy. Moore’s loss was Christophe Soumillon’s gain as the filly overcame a troubled passage to storm home down the outside for a cosy ½l success. With Tepin sadly passing away in 2023, Grateful seems likely to enter the broodmare ranks following this career high.

Jayarebe – Qatar Prix Dollar (Group 2)

Trainer: Brian Meehan

Sire: Zoffany

Day 1 wasn’t quite ALL about O’Brien, with Wiltshire’s own Brian Meehan getting in on the act in the penultimate contest. Having broken his Group race duck in the Hampton Court Stakes at the Royal Meeting, Jayarebe had the misfortune of bumping into Economics in the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano next time out. 

However, his 2l second to the William Haggas star looked one of the best pieces of recent form on offer, and so it proved, with the Sean Levey-ridden three-year-old holding off Ed Walkers Almaqam for a British 1-2. For his next assignment, this likeable sort looks set to head to Del Mar for the Breeders’ Cup Turf – a race Meehan has landed twice in the past.

Camille Pissarro – Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Group 1)

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Sire: Wootton Bassett

O’Brien missed out with Exactly and Bedtime Story in the opening event on Sunday but was soon making another trip to the winner’s enclosure. Mirroring the Prix de Royallieu, the yard’s second string got the job done in this 7f contest. Benefitting from a supreme hold-up ride from Christophe Soumillon, Camille Pissarro was delivered late to get up close home from Rashabar – denying Brian Meehan a second winner at the meeting by a neck. This one holds entries in this weekend's Dewhurst Stakes, which may come too soon, leaving a tilt at the Futurity Trophy Stakes at the end of the month as the more likely target.

Makarova – Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp Longines (Group 1)

Trainer: Ed Walker

Sire: Acclamation

11 British runners lined up in the premier sprint of the meeting, with nine going on to fill the first nine positions. Leading them all home was this relatively unfancied mare from the Lambourn yard of Ed Walker. 

Only sixth in the 2023 edition, behind market leader Bradsell in her two most recent starts, and yet to score in Group 1 company, Makarova had questions to answer. However, her sole Group 3 win had come on soft going, and the Acclamation mare relished the ground to power home for a cosy 1l victory. Better late than never, and for Makarova, her career-defining victory came in her final start as she will now head off to the breeding sheds.

Bluestocking – Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Group 1)

Trainer: Ralph Beckett

Sire: Camelot

In 2023, Ralph Beckett saddled Westover to finish second in the biggest 1m4f turf contest on the planet, whilst Bluestocking filled the runners-up position in the Group 1 duo of the Irish Oaks and Qipco British Champion Fillies’ & Mares Stakes. Fast forward to 2024, and the pair would not be denied! 

Having shed her “always the bridesmaid and never the bride” label with wins in the Pretty Polly Stakes and Prix Niel, the daughter of Camelot made the world sit up and take notice with a tough and classy Arc triumph. Tracking leader Los Angeles throughout, the mount of Rossa Ryan kicked clear with the minimum of fuss and lengthened to the line for a mighty 1¼l success. 

A history-making result for Juddmonte, who, in winning the race for a seventh time, became the most successful owner in the history of the great race. This was also a notable achievement for stallion Camelot, who sired both the winner and Los Angeles, who toughed it out to take third.

Friendly Soul– Prix de l’Opera Longines

Trainer: John & Thady Gosden

Sire: Kingman

Given the quality of the fillies and mares he has had at his disposal over the years, it was a little surprising to note that John Gosden had yet to win the Prix de l’Opera. Now training with son Thady, the Newmarket handler broke his duck in style – saddling both the winner and runner-up Running Lion.

Entering the season as a live Oaks challenger, Friendly Soul blotted her copybook and ended her Classic aspirations with a last-of-seven no-show in the Group 3 Musidora Stakes at York. A win in this late-season highlight seemed a long way away following that effort, but Gosden can be counted upon to restore his runners to their prime. 

Having rebounded with wins in the Valiant Stakes and Prix Alec Head, Friendly Soul produced a big career best to see off a field including Irish 1000 Guineas winner Fallen Angel and Prix de Diane heroine Sparkling Plenty. This result also saw Kieran Shoemark get an unwanted monkey off his back as he grabbed a first Group 1 since taking over as stable jockey for the yard. 

Paul Harrison

Falling in love with racing at a young age, Paul’s passion for sports and betting took him to Salford University, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Economics with Gambling Studies. Having spent ten years in the employment of a leading bookmaker, Paul opted to go it alone and pursue his dream job as a freelance writer.