PARIS, Oct 7: Sakhee, ridden by Frankie Dettori, won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in dazzling style Sunday.
Trained at Newmarket by Saeed bin Suroor for Godolphin, the even money favourite took up the running early in the straight and stormed home a six length winner.
Second place in the 17-strong field went to Aquarelliste, ridden by Dominique Boeuf. Sagacity, the mount of Japan’s Yutaka Take, finished third.
It was Dettori’s 100th group one of his career, prompting him to declare he was “top of the world.”
Sakhee finished second in last season’s Epsom Derby to Sinndar who went on to win the Arc four months later.
Sidelined for a time, Sakhee showed his true class when winning the York International in August and underlined the point with Sunday’s fine display.
Earlier, the dour French stayer Germinis galloped some of Europe’s best stayers into the ground Sunday to win the Prix du Cadran, France’s showpiece for long-distance champions.
Revelling in the soft ground at Longchamp, he kept on relentlessly up the straight to beat fellow mudlarker Generic by six lengths.
Last year’s winner, the British challenger San Sebastien, plugged on gamely to be third without ever looking dangerous.
Germinis had not run since the end of April but his provincial trainer Patrick Chevillard, enjoying his first ever Group One victory along with jockey Renaud Janneau, was not worried.
Royal Rebel, disappointing since winning the Ascot Gold Cup in June, showered a glimmer of that sparkling form on Sunday but he could get no nearer than fourth at the finish.
Result: 1. Sakhee (ridden by Franki Dettori) 2. Aquarelliste (Dominique Boeuf) 3. Sagacity (Yutaka Take)
17 ran
Winning distance: Six lengths
Winner owned by Godolphin and trained in England by Saeed Bin Suroor
Value to winner: 581,959 sterling ($859,900)—Reuter