Andre Fabre has issued a positive bulletin on his pair of contenders as he seeks a record-extending ninth win in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday, October 6.
Fabre is responsible for the ante-post favourite in the shape of the three-year-old Sosie (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who has won his last two starts over the Arc course and distance, first making the breakthrough at the top level in the Grand Prix de Paris in July and then returning from 10 weeks off with a comfortable victory in the G2 Prix Niel.
Mqse De Sevigne (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}), on the other hand, is yet to prove herself over the Arc trip, but Fabre expects the step up to a mile and a half to play to the strengths of a mare who is already a five-time Group 1 winner. This summer she returned to Deauville to repeat her 2023 victories in the Prix Rothschild and Prix Jean Romanet.
“They are doing well,” Fabre said of his potential Arc runners. “They just worked this morning and I was very pleased with them.
“I fancy the mare. So many people seem to think the Arc may be a bit far for her, but I have exactly the opposite opinion. I actually think an extra two furlongs will help her. She loves soft ground and her ability is not in question. She will adapt to the course and distance very well and she's in very good shape.”
He added, “Sosie is a nice horse as well and he is coming forward at the right moment. If it goes very heavy ground, that won't help him, but soft ground will be fine. He's like a few horses I've had who have won the Arc, in that he is coming good at the right moment.
“I would not like to say one in front of the other, but I think both have a good chance of being in the first four, say it like that.”
You Got To Me Finished for the Year
Irish Oaks winner You Got To Me (GB) is one horse who won't be taking up her Arc entry according to Alex Elliott, racing manager to Valmont who own the filly in partnership with Newsells Park Stud.
The daughter of Nathaniel (Ire) is expected to stay in training in 2025, but her three-year-old campaign is said to be over after she finished last of the seven runners when supplemented for the St Leger at Doncaster earlier this month.
“I think the main thing for this filly all year has been the pace of the race and they didn't go quick enough,” Elliott said of that performance on Town Moor. “She didn't really drop the bridle until they turned into the straight and over that trip you just can't expend any energy, especially at that level.
“She's been to a lot of dances this year and she's now finished for the season. She's back at Newsells Park Stud and will have a good break and we'll look forward to next year with her.
“If she came right in time, you could probably look at Dubai and then it will be all the good mile-and-a-half races moving forward.”
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