The Aga Khan's leading 3-year-old Vadeni (Fr) (Churchill {Ire}) looks set to be seen next in the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, it was confirmed on Wednesday.
Winner of the G1 Prix du Jockey Club and G1 Coral-Eclipse, the Jean-Claude Rouget-trained colt was most recently third behind Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) when sent off as favourite for the G1 Irish Champion S. It appeared after that race that Vadeni would swerve the Arc, which has been won by his owner-breeder on four occasions, most recently with Zarkava (Fr).
However, Georges Rimaud, manager of the Aga Khan Studs in France, announced that a decent forecast for Paris for the first weekend of October had swung the balance in favour of the Arc over Britain's G1 Champion S.
“All things being well, Vadeni will run in the Arc next weekend,” he said.
“Hopefully the ground will be suitable in Paris as that is an element of importance for this horse. He doesn't need good ground as such, but he doesn't need to have it very slow or deep or challenging.”
Asked whether the fact that Baaeed (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) is now being aimed at a career finale in the Champion S. had swayed the decision, Rimaud added, “When making these decisions you put all the elements on the table.
“Baaeed not running in the Arc has been discussed, but it is not the primary concern. We really feel this horse needs the right ground and feel he is more likely to have what he needs in Paris rather than in Ascot. It is dependent on the forecast and things may change.”
Proven over 10 furlongs, Vadeni will be stepping up to a mile and a half for the first time in the Parisian showcase.
Rimaud said, “We will find out on the day about the distance, but we feel that with his pedigree, and his dam being by Monsun (Ger), and his sire being by Galileo (Ire), there is no evidence that he cannot stay.
“We feel he has performed very well over the mile and a quarter, but we are happy to try. Vadeni doesn't have to travel, he's at home and we'll give it a shot.”
One horse Vadeni will not now have to face at Longchamp is recent G1 Prix Vermeille winner Sweet Lady (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). Her owners Francis and Benjamin Teboul of Gemini Stud told Jour de Galop that after consultation with her trainer Francis Graffard they had opted to send the 4-year-old to Ascot for the G1 QIPCO British Champion Fillies and Mares S., giving Sweet Lady an extra two-week break between engagements.
Graffard will be represented in the Arc by the Australian 11-time Group 1 winner Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}).
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