The horse Bluestocking, from Ralph Beckett’s stable, has been an additional inclusion for the impending Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Sunday. After a significant expense of €120,000 by Juddmonte, her proprietors, the four-year-old mare has been added to the participant list. Encouraged by her two respective wins in the Group One this season, they believe it is an opportunity deserving of the risk.
A proud winner of both course and distance in the previous Prix Vermeille, Bluestocking secured the second spot while competing against male horses in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in August. Her proprietors have triumphed in this race before with their renowned pink, green, and white silks, carried by Rainbow Quest, Dancing Brave, Rail Link, Workforce, and Enable twice. They’re on course to surpass Marcel Boussac as the race’s most triumphant owners with one more win.
The hefty sum of €120,000 paved Bluestocking’s entry into the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe field by Juddmonte. Barry Mahon, Juddmonte’s European racing head, expresses excitement given the good form of Bluestocking. Ralph affirmed her condition after careful inspection and tests, and anticipates a significant performance on Sunday, even though it will be demanding.
With Opera Singer withdrawing from the race, a total of 18 horses remain vying for Europe’s prestigious race. Still under consideration is Auguste Rodin, entered in the Arc ahead of Thursday’s final declaration. There is optimism surrounding a more refined performance from Look De Vega prior to his quest for glory in the Prix de l’Arc on Sunday.
The horse, groomed by Carlos and Yann Lerner, is now under the banner of Al Shaqab Racing and has a rather minimal record, having only raced four times thus far.
He marked his introduction to the racing world at Fontainebleau last November, where he demonstrated impressive potential by winning with an effortless seven-length difference, his sole race as a two-year-old.
The current season saw him kick-off on a triumphant note in an unremarkable race at ParisLongchamp, before he made a significant leap in class to clinch the French Derby, the Prix du Jockey Club, by two lengths in June.
Despite a flawless record, he fell short of expectations in the Prix Niel on the same Arc course and distance, where he finished third in a field of five, trailing fellow Arc contender Sosie by 3½ lengths.
Yann Lerner, the co-trainer, felt the horse wasn’t at his best and anticipates a stronger performance at this weekend’s return to ParisLongchamp.
Lerner mentioned a post-Jockey Club hiatus, “Following the Jockey Club triumph we allowed the horse a three-week rest before cautiously preparing him for the season’s second half.
It was noted that the horse gained substantially during this pause, although he shed a portion of it by the time he participated in the Prix Niel.” He still, however, was not close to his optimal weight at the time. Nevertheless, as of now, his weight has dropped and according to the recent assessments, he is getting back to his original weight.