PARIS - British invaders have a good record at Longchamp on Arc weekend, and Saturday's meeting, which serves as the tablesetter for Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, should be no exception, with Gateman, Ikhtyar, and Ocean Silk all in position for victory.
Last year, Domedriver graduated from the $128,000 Prix Daniel Wildenstein to win the Breeders' Cup Mile, but Saturday's renewal of the Group 2 mile at Longchamp does not appear to contain a strong candidate for the big day at Santa Anita.
PARIS, France - British invaders have good record at Longchamp on Arc weekend, and Saturday's meeting, which serves as the tablesetter for the Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, should be no exception, with Gateman, Ikhtyar and Ocean Silk all in position for victory.
Last year, Domedriver graduated from the $128,000 Prix Daniel Wildenstein to win the Breeders' Cup Mile, but Saturday's renewal of the Group 2 mile at Longchamp does not appear to contain a strong candidate for the big day at Santa Anita.
ASCOT, England - Falbrav gave another brilliant effort to win the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.
In scoring his fourth Group 1 victory of the year and the seventh of his career, Falbrav won for the first time at a mile since winning his maiden in his career debut in September 2000. The victory follows an unlucky loss to High Chaparral in the Irish Champion Stakes, although trainer Luca Cumani's appeal to overturn that result and award the race to Falbrav will be heard by the Irish Turf Club on Oct. 20.
At 1 1/2 miles, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is what many American observers would call a "marathon." Yet in the terminology employed by Europeans, it is a "middle distance" race.
That is because in Europe, the Arc distance falls between that of a mile and the true stayers' races, run at 1 3/4 miles or farther. Yet who would argue that to win the Arc, a great deal of stamina is required?
Falbrav, a six-time Group 1 winner at 1 1/8 miles to 1 1/2 miles, drops back to a mile at Ascot on Saturday for the $535,000 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, in what could be a prelude to an appearance in the Breeders' Cup Turf.
On the face of it, trainer Luca Cumani's decision to run Falbrav in the QEII seems daft, especially since Falbrav will be meeting accomplished milers such as Dubai Destination, Russian Rhythm, and defending champ Where or When. But there is a method to Cumani's madness.
Falbrav, the winner of three Group 1 races this year, has been supplemented to Saturday's $490,000 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at a cost of 25,000 pounds ($40,900).
Falbrav could face Dubai Destination, Russian Rhythm, and 2002 winner Where or When in the Queen Elizabeth II. The Group 1 mile race at Ascot will be the first start for Falbrav at such a short distance since he won his maiden in his career debut at Milan on Sept. 3, 2000.
The Emirates Racing Association has announced the inauguration of the $21 million Dubai International Racing Carnival 2004.
The Carnival will consist of 35 dirt races and 20 turf races to be run on 10 dates beginning Jan. 29 and culminating on Dubai World Cup Night, March 27. Free transportation will be provided for those running in the 55 races, all of which will be run at Nad Al Sheba. Foreign trainers will be eligible for a prize of $50,000 for most victories recorded during the Carnival.
Dalakhani emerged from victory in Sunday's Prix Niel victory at Longchamp as the 7-4 favorite for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Dalakhani turned back the challenge of Doyen to win the Group 2 race by 1 1/2 lengths, running the 1 1/2 miles in 2:27.60 on good to soft ground.
* Ange Gabriel made it six of his last seven with a handy 2 1/2-length score in the Group 2 Prix Foy. The Eric Libaud trainee had little trouble disposing of Martaline and two other foes in a clocking of 2:28.60 for the 1 1/2 miles.