 LONGCHAMP, France (AP) - Zarkava won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Sunday with a powerful stretch run and became the first filly in 15 years to win the race.
Zarkava was behind early but as the 16-horse field turned for home, jockey Christophe Soumillon urged on his unbeaten filly and she finished two lengths ahead of Youmzain. The last filly to win was Urban Sea in 1993.
Wind and light rain softened the track on Europe's major middle-distance race over 1 1/2 miles.
Soumillion thumped his chest and blew kisses to the home crowd after winning.
"This is the best present I could ever have," said the French jockey, who also won the race with Dalakhani in 2003. "Both (horses) had completely different characters, but the quality is the same. They are the two best moments of my life."
It's Gino and Soldier of Fortune dead-heated for third place.  With a forecast of rain, Zarkava's trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre worried that a soft ground would hinder his filly's chances. However, there was only a light overnight drizzle, and it didn't both Zarkava as her burst of acceleration was just to good for her male rivals.
"She handled the situation very well," de Royer-Dupre said. "I was not worried, you don't get horses like this every day."
The 3-year-old Zarkava, owned by the Aga Khan, won the Prix Vermeille last month and ran her record to a perfect 7-for-7. She overpowered fillies in winning her first six starts.
"I know she has great acceleration," de Royer-Dupre said. "It's great to train a filly like that. She's the best I've had."
Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien, who won the Arc last year with Dylan Thomas, had three horses in the race — Duke of Marmalade, Soldier of Fortune and Red Rock Canyon — but none were serious contenders.
Duke of Marmalade won the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in England earlier this year, but is much better on firmer ground and struggled to make any impact.
"I'm not using the ground as an excuse," O'Brien said.
Italian jockey Frankie Dettori, another three-time winner, briefly threatened with Schiaparelli heading into the stretch, but faded quickly. |