The 2012 Arc takes an astonishing turn
The outcome of the 2012 Arc could not have been more bewildering. Firstly, the mega race saw the withdrawals of racing sensations as the 2011 winner, Danedream, the Group 1 Coral-Eclipse champion, Nathaniel, and Snow Fairy, who ended third the last time, could not maintain the entry too.
Despite their exclusion, the race seemed a handful for the 2011 Japanese Horse Of The Year, Orfevre, the dual derby winner and the Triple Crown Contender, Camelot, along with the full sister to Nathaniel, Great Heavens.
Each stable came up with an excuse for the failure of their representative as the highly unlikely candidate for the race as the Irish filly, Solemia, took away the prize money of the race from the reeling in entry, Orfevre, by a neck’s mark.
During the initial moments of the race there was hardly a doubt about the success of the Japanese representative charged on in the field while the 41 to 1 shot for the race, Solemia, remained in the rear.
The last crucial 200 metres of the race saw the transition of the leader to the runner-up’s slot as the C. Laffon Parias trained responded to the urge of the incredible rider, Olivier Peslier, to press on harder and stride towards the wire.
Had there been no prospect of making it through the wire before the Japanese entry, the jockey would never have asked to mount for the extra few ounces of strength.
2012 became the fourth time that the jockey went to the winning enclosure of the £4 million contest. He won it with Helissio in 1996, Peintre Celebre in 1997 and then in 1998 with Sagamix.
"I was looking through my binoculars and with 200 metres to run I thought we were going to be second," admitted trainer Carlos Laffon-Parias. "I was happy to be second but when I saw Olivier change the whip I knew he thought he could win because he never gives a hard race to a horse."
The hardest blow came for the fans of the Aidan O’Brien trained Camelot, as the background could not have been more impressive ,and neither could there have been a better jockey to ride with. With Frankie Dettori riding, he finished seventh.
"I think it was the combination of a long season and the ground but we look forward to next year as I think the plan is to stay in training,"
The part owner, Derrick Smith, commented.
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