ASCOT, England // The organisers have packaged this end-of-season jamboree as British Champions day, but after Almanzor tamed Found in the Champion Stakes, there is little argument that the French colt not only rules Britain, but Europe, too.
Almanzor was the highest-rated colt on the continent after his victory in the Irish Champion Stakes in September, and as he swept to a commanding victory over the admirable Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe heroine, it was easy to see why.
At the line there were two lengths between the colt and mare, who had fought out a similarly impressive finish in the Irish Champion Stakes in September. Jack Hobbs, the Irish Derby winner last season for Godolphin, was almost two lengths farther behind.
After that victory in Ireland, jockey Christophe Soumillon had stated categorically that trainer Jean-Claude Rouget should run Almanzor in the Arc a fortnight ago. It will be debated forever whether it was the correct decision or not, but in true Edith Piaf style, Rouget ne regrette rien (regrets nothing).
“I love this horse,” said Rouget, who is based in Pau in the south of France. “It was always the plan to come here. I did not change my mind on what I was going to do, and I am glad I didn’t.”
Almanzor is almost certainly going to be kept in training next season for owner Ecurie Antonio Caro, and Rouget has mapped out a return here for the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot in June before a crack at the Arc itself.
Soumillon was understandably delighted at the news, so much so that he hung around giving interviews to such an extent that he subsequently missed his plane home to France.
“He just proved he is an Arc horse,” he said. “For sure Found is probably not fresh like she was in the Arc. Next season he will be in great form at the same period of the season and I am sure he will handle the distance. He loves the track, too.”
Almanzor broke poorly, but despite Godolphin utilising pacemaker Maverick Wave, the pace was very steady for the first furlong, which allowed Soumillon to angle out from his draw in Stall 1. The Belgian jockey secured a decent position one off the rail in fifth place and was tracking Aidan O’Brien’s US Army Ranger for much of the first 1,600 metres.
Found, who was ridden by Ryan Moore, was sat even farther back alongside Godolphin’s Jack Hobbs and, as the field came in to the straight, Found drew alongside Almanzor for Round 2 of their private tussle.
It took them a full 200 metres to reel in The Grey Gatsby, the 2014 Dubai Turf runner-up who has since fallen on hard times, and from there it was left to Soumillon to guide his colt home from their most gutsy rival.
Last season Found took in the Irish Champion Stakes, Arc, Champion Stakes and then kicked on to America. Despite a tungsten constitution that has seen her run nine times this year, she is now unlikely to fly to Santa Anita next month to defend her Breeders’ Cup Turf crown.
“It is an unbelievable run,” trainer Aidan O’Brien said. “I’m not sure about the Breeders’ Cup. Highland Reel will possibly go for the turf race so I don’t know about that.”
O’Brien’s only winner on the day in pursuit of Bobby Frankel’s record haul of 25 Group 1 wins was Minding, who outpointed Godolphin’s Ribchester in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
It was not enough, however, to prevent Godolphin from securing the British Champion owner title for the 11th time.
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