In yet another example of why Hansle Parchment continues to be a fan favourite who continues to perform at the highest level, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics champion has dedicated the silver medal he won at the 2023 World Athletics Championships to his long-time coach Fitz Coleman.
Parchment, 33, who won his first Diamond League trophy last month in a lifetime best and world-leading 12.93s run, was the runner-up to the now three-time world champion Grant Holloway of the USA, in Budapest in August. On Monday, he shared on social media that that silver medal holds special meaning.
“This year’s world championship in Budapest was special as I received a second medal for my coach,” he said. “Mr. Fitz Coleman has been my coach for 14 years and counting. He has been a friend and a mentor. He’s been a guiding force in all my achievements and I want to send a heartfelt thanks as he deserves this medal as much as I do.”
Parchment will attempt to defending his Olympic title in Paris next summer. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Parchment stunned the world by upstaging Holloway, the gold medal favorite, winning his first Olympic title in 13.04.
St. Elizabeth Technical High (STETHS), Browns Town, and Wycliffe Martin High were all big winners in their ISSA/Wata DaCosta Cup games on Saturday.
STETHS, the five-time DaCosta Cup champions, had the biggest win of the season so far when they crushed Roger Clarke High 20-0 in their Zone E game played in Santa Cruz.
DeAndre Barnett scored six times to lead STETHS while Justin McPherson also had a hat trick and D’Andre Hibbert scored in his sixth consecutive game.
BB Coke High moved into second place on 13 points after their 2-1 win over Munro College, who were losing for the first time. Lacovia High beat Sydney Pagon 5-1 and Maggotty High beat Newell High 3-1 in the days other Zone clashes.
Browns Town High were 12-1 winners over Discovery Bay High in Zone C, where Cedric Titus High’s winning streak also ended, coming from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw against York Castle High in a top-of-the-zone clash.
William Knibb Memorial beat Aabuthnott Gallimore 5-0 with two goals each from Theonjae Bennett and Koran Henriques as Ocho Rios High were 6-0 winners over Ferncourt High.
Wycliffe Martin whipped Iona High 8-1 but Tacky High just managed to stay on top in Zone I despite being held 2-2 by St Mary High, Horace Clarke High moved up to second place after beating Annotto Bay High 2-0.
Other results from Saturday:
Cornwall College 1 Maldon 0
St. James 2 Green Pond 1
Spot Valley 0 Irwin 1
Cambridge 0-Merlene Ottey 1
Green Island 0 Frome 6
Carron Hall 2 St. Mary Tech 3
May Day 1 Manchester 3
Belair 12 Cross Keys 0
Mt. St. Joseph 0 DeCarteret College 6
Courage Mon Ami is not certain to line up in the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup after a minor setback ruled the Ascot Gold Cup winner out of the Prix du Cadran.
Trained by John and Thady Gosden, the son of Frankel was bought by Wathnan Racing prior to Royal Ascot, providing the Qatari-based operation with their biggest success to date when storming to big-race glory in the hands of Frankie Dettori.
Having somewhat bounced back from a first defeat in the Goodwood Cup when an honourable second to Coltrane in York’s Lonsdale Cup, connections had their eye on finishing the season at ParisLongchamp on Arc weekend.
However, he missed his intended trip to France due to a minor setback and although holding an entry for the staying event on Ascot’s British Champions Day card, he will not be rushed for what would be a fitting return to the scene of his finest hour on October 21.
“He obviously missed France which was annoying because it was niggly, nothing major,” Said Richard Brown, racing advisor to the owners.
“We’re just going to take him along and see if we can make Ascot.
“He’s been the flag-bearer for Wathnan in their first season and is obviously a firm favourite, so he won’t be asked to do anything he doesn’t want to do.
“He will tell us if he’s ready to run or not and if he’s not, we’ll put him away and come back next year.
“He’s been amazing for us and we’re never going to risk him. We owe him a lot.”
Options remain open for Simon and Ed Crisford’s Vandeek after his superb Middle Park success.
The Havana Grey colt maintained his flawless record at Newmarket on Saturday, securing an impressive two-and-a-quarter-length victory under James Doyle in the six-furlong Group One.
That triumph is stacked on top of a winning debut, a Group Two win in the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood and further Group One glory in the Prix Morny at Deauville, meaning he is unbeaten in four starts so far.
On his first three outings he had encountered soft ground, particularly at Goodwood, but at Newmarket the going was good to firm and in quick conditions he looked even more talented when hitting top gear to leave a smart field in his wake.
“He was very impressive on Saturday, he showed a really classy turn of foot to put the race to bed going into the dip,” said Chris Wall, racing manager to owners KHK Racing.
“Up to that point he’d only ever run on soft ground and it had to be seen if he could handle the quicker conditions as well, but actually I think he handled them better.
“It was a really classy performance and a credit to the Crisfords to have him teed up and ready to go on the day having not run since the middle of August.
“They hadn’t gone particularly quickly by halfway, visually they didn’t look to be going as strong a gallop as you might expect in a Group One race.
“The field then quickened in front of him and he’s just shot away from them, it goes to show the raw natural speed that he possesses.”
Vandeek clearly has ample ability and his performances are further aided by his rock steady temperament as he does little to burn through vital energy ahead of his races.
“He has the most remarkable temperament, most two-year-old sprinting colts would tend to be a bit buzzy and electric but he’s the very opposite of that,” Wall said.
“He walks around half asleep most of the time, Andrea Atzeni rode him in Deauville and he warned James Doyle about him. He said ‘the only thing you have to worry about is that you don’t let him fall asleep and fall on his head cantering to the start’.”
The colt holds an entry for the Dewhurst in mid-October and whilst firm plans have not been made, a return to the Rowley Mile is not ruled out for a late-season step up to seven furlongs.
“He has an engagement in the Dewhurst but I think nobody is going to commit to that until nearer the time when we can see how the horse is, what the opposition will be, all the usual things. We’re not ruling anything out at this stage.”
Clive Cox is excited to see what the future holds for Ghostwriter following his taking success in Newmarket’s Royal Lodge Stakes.
Having impressed in his first two outings, the son of Invincible Spirit took the step up to both a mile and Group Two level in his stride to run out a convincing winner in the hands of Richard Kingscote when up against a useful cast on the Rowley Mile.
The victory puts the colt in the picture for next year’s Classics, with the youngster as short as 16-1 for both the 2000 Guineas and the Derby and his handler has been delighted with his progress throughout his juvenile campaign.
“He showed improvement from his first run with how he ran under a penalty at Ascot and this was a bigger step up again,” said Cox.
“He acquitted himself very impressively and backed up our hopes and thoughts from what we had been seeing at home.”
Ghostwriter’s Royal Lodge success earns him a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf if connections wish, while he also holds an entry for the Group One Futurity Trophy at Doncaster before the season ends.
Although refusing to completely rule out those options, Cox is minded to think to the future with his talented prospect and would have no qualms about now taking stock with the Jeff Smith-owned two-year-old and returning next spring with his 100 per cent record intact.
“I’m pleased to report he has come home well,” continued Cox.
“We’ll discuss it further with Jeff in the meantime. Most importantly we will follow the horse’s appearance and well-being over the next week or so and that would be the guiding light really.
“While I am happy with him, I think physically, he has a big frame to mature into even more and I would definitely be inclined to be thinking from a physical point of view he will be a better horse next year and I’m really excited about the future.”
On the prospect of heading to Santa Anita next month, he added: “I think at this stage of his life that would be a huge step and with his size and scope and being so exciting for the future, I would just be very proud of what he has achieved so far this year.
“The level of expectation is such an exciting thought going forwards that it is a bigger picture than tomorrow and it is more about thinking further down the line.”
While Ghostwriter’s career is only just beginning, Cox will bid farewell to the speedster Get Ahead following her fourth-placed finish in the Abbaye as she heads now heads to the paddocks.
An agonising second in the Flying Five Stakes on her previous start, she was somewhat unfortunate not to finish closer to ParisLongchamp winner Highfield Princess having been short of room at a vital stage.
“I guess that’s racing sometimes and they don’t run in lanes, but we’re extremely proud of what she has achieved throughout her career,” said Cox.
“I think to be second in the Flying Five and to back that up amongst some of the best sprinters in the world at Longchamp is quite rewarding and she will be heading to the paddocks now.
“I’m very proud to have been involved with her and, being related to a Guineas winner (her half-brother is Chaldean), she now has a great record on track to back up her pedigree.
“She’s a filly that will last long in our memories without a shadow of a doubt.”
Also heading for a career as a broodmare is Tregony, who was a star of the Racing League last term, but has taken her form to the next level of late and now bows out after a career-best effort to deny New London in the Listed Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Godolphin Stakes.
“She’s been impeccable and the courage she displayed on Friday was amazing,” added Cox.
“We had previously felt she had only just got the mile and a half really, but Saffie (Osborne, jockey) gave her such a wonderful ride and managed to settle her into a perfect rhythm through the race that she was able to display that courage and determination she has always had at a crucial stage.
“I’m just thrilled she has that winning Listed success to go with her previous black-type placed effort and she’s now bound for the paddocks and will surely be a very exciting broodmare.”
Inspiral is one of nine potential runners in the Virgin Bet Sun Chariot Stakes, with Heredia the only supplementary entry.
Owners St Albans Bloodstock paid £20,000 to add her to the Group One contest as she has won her last two starts in Listed and Group Three company.
Trained by Richard Hannon, after winning her first four starts she marginally lost her way but has bounced back with a vengeance.
“She is certainly at the peak of her powers and her last two runs have been tremendous,” said Richard Brown, racing manager for owners St Albans Bloodstock.
“Andrew Stone (St Albans) is a real sportsman and he was very game to have a go. It’s probably my fault she wasn’t originally in there, but Andrew was very keen to have a go and she is going to take her chance on Saturday.
“Andrew is an owner-breeder and to have bred a filly of this calibre is what he aspires to. To come and have a run, and hopefully a live candidate, in a race like the Sun Chariot is what it is all about.”
Inspiral looked back to her best last time out in the Jacques le Marois and sets a high standard.
John and Thady Gosden could also run Coppice, who got back to winning ways last week at Newmarket.
Goldana (Joseph O’Brien), Meditate (Aidan O’Brien) and Just Beautiful (Paddy Twomey) could make the journey over from Ireland, while Andre Fabre’s Mqse De Sevigne adds further intrigue.
She has won her last two starts in Group One company in the Prix Rothschild and the Prix Jean Romanet.
Ed Walker’s Random Harvest and Archie Watson’s Roman Mist complete the list.
A magnificent record-breaking century from Hayley Matthews powered West Indies Women to a historic seven-wicket victory over Australia at Sydney on Monday.
The West Indies Women’s captain smashed 132 from just 64 balls as the West Indies Women, needing 213 for victory, scored 213-3 from 19.5 overs to level the series at a game apiece. Matthews got help from former captain Stafanie Taylor, whose half-century proved crucial in a 174-run second-wicket partnership that put the Caribbean women on course to what seemed an unlikely victory.
No team had ever successfully chased a score over 200 runs against Australia at home.
The 425 runs scored in the match was a world-record for a women’s T20 international.
Coming off an emphatic eight-wicket victory over the West Indies on Sunday, Australia seemed on course for another victory after Ellyse Perry scored 70 from 46 balls and Phoebe Litchfield plundered an unbeaten 52 from just 19, the joint fastest 50 in a T20 international, as the hosts piled up 212-6 from their 20 overs. Georgia Wareham was not out on 32 from 13 as she and Litchfield shared in an Australia T20 record seventh-wicket stand of 66 that propelled the hosts to their challenging total.
Matthews was the best of the West Indies bowlers taking 3-36 from her four overs. She took the wickets of Beth Mooney for 29, the dangerous Tahlia McGrath for four and Annabell Sutherland for 13. Shamilia Connell took 2-35 to support her captain, whose best was yet to come.
West Indies Women lost Shabikia Gajnabi for just one in the third over, paving the way for Stafanie Taylor and Matthews to mount the a stand of 174, the highest partnership for any wicket for the West Indies Women, breaking the previous record of 162 between Matthews and Chadean Nation.
Taylor’s contribution of 59 included 11 fours as she recovered from a slow start to blossom as the partnership grew. When Taylor was bowled by Megan Schutt in the 17th over, Matthews was on 114 and the West Indies needed 28 from the last 18 balls to secure victory.
With the match balanced on a knife’s edge after Annabel Sutherland only conceded three runs from in the 18th over, Matthews swung the match heavily towards in the West Indies’ favour when she struck four consecutive boundaries off the first four balls of the 19th bowled by Jess Jonassen.
The spinner got a measure of revenge when she bowled the West Indies captain, going for a sweep, behind her legs with the West Indies still needing nine to win from seven balls. Matthews’ masterclass that included 20 fours and five sixes, is the highest score ever by a West Indian woman surpassing the 112 made by compatriot Deandra Dottin. Her 100 came off just 53 balls.
It was left to Chinelle Henry and Shemaine Campbell who each scored four to take the West Indies Women to a memorable victory.
Matthews, who was winning her seventh consecutive T20I Player of the Match award, credited learning more about her game for her incredible consistency. In those seven matches she scored 452 runs including three 50s and a century at an average of 90.40 and a strike rate of 138.22.
"I think I've learned more about myself and my batting. The areas I want to access. It's been working really well for me. The leadership of the team has made me take a lot more responsibility,” said Matthews who was unbeaten on 99 during the first T20I.
She revealed that the team took the lessons learned from the last game that the West Indies lost by eight wickets to their opponents, stating, “Last game we spoke about learning. We came in with the exact same team for that exact reason. Obviously the last game was a bit tough for us with the ball but we backed the bowlers to come back today and we saw from the start they were right on the mark.”
Matthews also welcomed Taylor’s return to form which helped set up the record chase.
“Batting with Stafanie helps a lot and I think she really got into her groove today. To chase down over 200 is something we've never been able to do let alone against the best team in the world. I'm incredibly proud of this squad and hopefully we can keep moving forward."
The teams meet again in the third T20I on Thursday.
Connections are relishing the prospect of the “brilliantly talented” Iberian lining up in the Dewhurst Stakes following his scintillating victory in the Champagne Stakes last month.
A winner in taking fashion at Newbury on debut, the Charlie Hills-trained youngster lost little in defeat at Goodwood on his second outing before getting back on the winning trail in supreme fashion at Doncaster, showcasing a blistering turn of foot to register a commanding two-length success.
With Group Two honours secured in South Yorkshire, the son of Lope De Vega will now attempt to keep his upwards curve moving skywards when heading to Newmarket on October 14.
Iberian will get his first taste of action at the highest level there and could face off against the best of the Ballydoyle juveniles and impressive Middle Park winner Vandeek.
“That will be his next start and it has been the plan all along to go Champagne then Dewhurst,” explained Richard Ryan, racing manager for Teme Valley who own the horse in partnership with Ballylinch Stud.
“There’s a nice gap between both races leading into the Dewhurst and that’s the hope, we’ve just got to see what Aidan O’Brien may bring to the table and that is a very tough act to beat.
“He’s got a stallion’s page and is a prodigious talent, but you have to show it at the top table and the Dewhurst seems the perfect place to do just that.”
Inexperience counted against Iberian on his second start in the Vintage Stakes, but he justified connections’ belief with a statement victory on Town Moor, bursting the bubble of the previously unbeaten Rosallion.
That form was given a timely boost when Richard Hannon’s highly-regarded colt bounced back to claim the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and adds extra substance to Iberian’s growing profile.
“It was good to see that endorsement of the form (in France) and let’s hope it’s a literal interpretation,” continued Ryan.
“He’s always been impressive at home, stunningly so, and our opinion of him couldn’t be higher.
“We were slightly dumbfounded by his defeat at Goodwood. He was drawn wide in one and William (Buick) hadn’t sat on him and rode him like the most inexperienced horse in the race, which was the right thing to do in the circumstances, but invariably we found ourself 10 lengths off the pace with only a few furlongs left to go, which is incredibly hard to make up on soft ground at Goodwood.
“Doncaster is a very different track and very flat and very fair in comparison and the horse was able to show what we’ve seen on a constant basis at home.”
In winning the Champagne Stakes, Iberian was following in the footsteps of another Teme Valley and Ballylinch Stud alumni, Bayside Boy, who would win the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at three, but ran in both the Dewhurst and the Futurity Trophy following victory at Doncaster in his juvenile season.
However, Ryan explained that is not the plan this time and after Iberian has challenged for supremacy in the Dewhurst, thoughts will turn to next year’s 2000 Guineas, for which he is currently a best price of 25-1 but as short as 14s in places.
“This is a very different type of animal,” he said.
“The Dewhurst for Bayside Boy went slightly frustratingly in he got trapped in a pocket and got out late against Native Trail. Because he was a locally trained horse within Newmarket where the race is run, we found he was fresh as paint within 48 hours.
“Ordinarily it would never have been a consideration, but in those circumstances it was a different decision.
“This horse is brilliantly talented at home and has sheer brilliance as you saw at Doncaster with his turn of foot, so that would never be on the table.
“Come what may, he will be put away for the Guineas. We’ve just got one big hoop to jump through first.”
Melbourne Cup favourite Vauban arrived in Australia over the weekend and has settled into his new surroundings at the Werribee quarantine centre.
Trained by Willie Mullins, who is also running the Ebor winner Absurde in Australia’s greatest race, Vauban has headed the market since his sparkling win in the Copper Horse Handicap, in which Absurde was second.
Since then Vauban, a three-time Grade One winner over hurdles, has won the Group Three Ballyroan Stakes in smooth style.
“Touch wood, he seems fine,” Mullins’ assistant David Casey, who has travelled to Australia, told www.racing.com.
“He travelled well, it seems he’s eating and drinking since he came and arrived. He didn’t lose a lot of weight and he’s put it all actually back on since he came. Delighted with him.
“(He) had a little hack this morning, nothing strenuous – so, so far so good.
“I went over and rode him last Tuesday before he left, gave him a nice bit of work and was very happy with him.”
Some European challengers often take in a warm up race but with both Vauban and Absurde confirmed of a place in the Melbourne Cup already, Casey feels there is no need to go down that road.
“I imagine it will be straight in, it’s looking that way,” Casey said.
“I imagine the next couple of weeks will be pretty quiet for him and then we’ll start building him up closer to the race.
“It was great that he won at Ascot and backed it up when he won in Naas – we’re here and we’re delighted to be taking part and obviously hopefully with a horse that can be competitive.
“We will be thrilled if we can be competitive in the race.
“55kg for Vauban is kind of what we expected – we kind of thought somewhere between 54.5 and 55.5.”
Casey, though, would prefer a bit of rain before the big day.
“They’re big, strong horses, both of them – maybe ground-wise, it might be a little bit of a disadvantage, because they might just hit it a little bit harder,” he said.
“I haven’t seen it this warm this early before out here. If there’s a drop of rain around, I won’t mind too much.
“I could do with it in five weeks’ time maybe!
“I think Absurde will probably handle it quicker – Vauban has run and he won on very quick ground in Ascot, which wasn’t an issue – but you’d just prefer not to be running on it every day, you know, when he is big and strong.”
Two-time world 200m champion Shericka Jackson is now the second-best female combined sprinter of all time and could soon to become the greatest of all time if she runs faster in the 100m, 200m or 400m in the coming season.
As at the end of the 2022/2023 season when she won her second 200m world title in championship record time of 21.41 at the World Championships, Jackson now boasts personal best time of 10.65 in the 200m, 21.41 in the 200m and 49.47 in the 400m.
The super-talented Jamaican, who is also the only athlete to win global medals in all three events, has amassed ranking points of 1277 for her lifetime best of 10.65 in the 100m, 1301 for her national record time of 21.41 in the 200m and 1227 for her personal best 49.47 in the 400m for a tally of 3805 points.
Only one woman has more points and that is Germany’s Marita Koch, who ran times of 10.83 for the 100m, 21.71 for the 200m and a remarkable 47.60, the world record, for the 400m for a total of 3809 points.
It was not that long ago that Jackson was further down the list behind the likes of Florence Griffith-Joyner (3), Marion Jones (4), Shaunae Miller-Uibo (5), Allyson Felix (6), Gwen Torrence (7) and Marie Jose Perec, (8) all of whom are ranked among the top 10 best combined sprinters in history.
She is the highest-ranked Jamaican with the iconic Merlene Ottey (10.74/21.64/51.12) ranked 13th, Grace Jackson (11.08/21.72/49.57) ranked 16th and Veronica Campbell-Brown (10.76/21.74/52.24) ranked 22nd.
In fact, in 2021, Jackson was 21st in the list before her outstanding performances over the last three seasons saw her rocket up the list to the number two slot. In 2021, Jackson has lifetimes bests of 10.76/21.81/49.47 for the 100m, 200m and 400m, respectively.
Breaking the world record of 21.34 in the 200m, a goal that is well within her reach, dipping under 10.60 for the 100m or running 48 seconds over the 400m and she will take her rightful place of Greatest Of All Time among women combined sprinters.
Fatima College moved to the top of the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) premiership division standings on Saturday with a remarkable 5-2 win over San Juan North Secondary School at the latter's school ground.
Despite being reduced to 10 men after Captain Jaden Williams was sent off, Fatima scored three goals in the last few minutes of the match to turn a 2-2 draw into a resounding victory.
Jonathan Mason scored twice in the 87th minute and stoppage time, while Michael Chaves added a third in the 97th minute.
Fatima's other goals came from Aidan De Gannes and an own goal by Jaheem Danclar.
San Juan North had taken the lead through national youth player Lindell Sween in the 23rd minute, but Danclar equalized in the 26th minute.
Fatima then took the lead through De Gannes in the 33rd minute, but Nathan Quashie levelled the scores again for San Juan North in the 45th minute.
In other SSFL results on Saturday, Speyside High School defeated Pleasantville Secondary 3-1, Trinity College East came from behind to beat Malick Secondary 2-1, St Mary's College defeated Queen's Royal College 4-3, East Mucurapo beat Chaguanas North Secondary 3-0, Presentation College San Fernando crushed Bishop's High School 4-0, and defending champions St Benedict's College edged St Anthony's College 1-0.
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There was no fitting last ride at ParisLongchamp for Frankie Dettori, with Kinross thwarted in his quest for back-to-back Qatar Prix de la Foret victories by Kelina, who survived a nervy stewards’ inquiry.
The retiring Italian was in no rush in the early stages aboard the Ralph Beckett-trained six-year-old, with the first past the post just ahead of him in the order, racing keenly in the hands of Maxime Guyon.
With Dettori and Kinross locked on the inner, Kelina was able to get first run on the big-race favourite.
However, there was still drama to come as Kelina edged right towards the rail while making her challenge, squeezing both Dettori aboard Kinross and Richard Hannon’s Shouldvebeenaring for room at a vital point in the contest.
Dettori had enough time to switch Kinross and have one last-gasp crack at the Carlos Laffon-Parias-trained victor, but was unable to bridge the deficit in the closing stages.
Dettori immediately signalled his intention to appeal, but after a stewards’ inquiry the result was unaltered, bringing to an end both Kinross’ phenomenal winning run over seven furlongs and the 52-year-old’s riding career in France.
After the race, a disappointed Beckett said: “We were second best on the day and that’s it. We weren’t good enough.”
When asked if Kinross remained on track for another crack at the Breeders’ Cup Mile, he added: “We will see how he goes, I don’t know yet.”
Firmly on course for the Breeders’ Cup Mile is the winner, who could now get the chance to replicate the achievements of three-time Mile winner Goldikova who sported the same silks of owners Wertheimer and Frere.
The Foret victory was a welcome return to form for Kelina, who having finished fourth in the French 1000 Guineas earlier in the season before claiming the Group Two Prix de Sandringham put disappointments in both the Prix Rothschild and Prix du Moulin behind her.
“She finished last here in the Marcel Boussac and has come a long way since,” said Laffon-Parias.
“Last time when she came here and she didn’t run well we didn’t really have an explanation, but the soft ground was obviously not in her favour.
“She ran a fabulous race in the Prix de Sandringham when she had her ground but again her last start in the Moulin she didn’t have a very good draw and we were going to wait with her, but she just didn’t run her race and that allowed her to come here today fresh.
“After you have won a a Group Two you can only really go for a Group One and we have tried. We had been invited to go to Keeneland and accepted but then we we’re talking about it, we made the decision to come here and we were very pleased with the decision to come here.
“It is no secret that my career is more behind me than in front of me, but I have no plans to stop.”
Jean-Claude Rouget’s unshakeable confidence in Ace Impact proved fully justified, as the unbeaten colt produced a performance for the ages in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp.
The son of Cracksman’s path to becoming Europe’s premier middle-distance colt has not been a conventional one, but then this is no ordinary colt.
Provincial wins at Cagnes-Sur-Mer in January and Bordeaux in early April suggested Ace Impact was a horse of some potential. But few could have envisaged at that stage he would go on to secure one of the most visually striking Arc wins in recent memory.
The three-year-old was dominant when claiming Classic glory in the French Derby in June – and while the margin of his next triumph in the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano did not leave every onlooker purring, Rouget knew there was more in the tank.
Baked in Parisian sunshine, Ace Impact went to post for his biggest test as the 5-2 favourite and it was impossible to be anything but blown away by the way he found a Dancing Brave-esque turn of speed to run down the leaders and ultimately win with consummate ease.
It was put to Rouget in the aftermath that the majority of those in attendance were left speechless, but he said: “Actually, I more or less expected to see that turn of foot and that acceleration.
“He wasn’t able to show it at Cagnes-Sur-Mer or Bordeaux, but even after a slow beginning in the Prix du Jockey Club he literally flew home.
“At Deauville he wasn’t ready and I know people we were saying he had not run at Longchamp before, but I thought he would be able to deploy that acceleration, especially on the ground we have today.
“My last reflection before the start of the race was to say to myself, ‘it’s too good to be true’, but it was not too good, it was true!”
Supporters of Ace Impact will undoubtedly have been a little worried beforehand, as he was noticeably on his toes in the parade ring before Cristian Demuro was given the leg-up.
Rouget – who struck with the Demuro-ridden Sottsass in 2020 – insisted he was not overly concerned, adding: “You just have to manage it. He’s like a child, an adolescent who needs to be looked after and reassured constantly. If he was able to talk, he would tell you he’s a very sensitive being.
“I knew the horse was in stronger shape than he was for the Prix du Jockey Club, which is normal as he’s more mature now. He was in marvellous shape before the race.
“The best acceleration I’ve ever seen is Zarkava and this horse is not far off. Sottsass was a very good horse and a very strong horse, but he was not the same type of horse. He was an extraordinary horse, but this one has the power of acceleration of one of the top horses in the world.”
Demuro was able to begin celebrating before passing the post in front, such was the authority with which Ace Impact won, before performing a Frankie Dettori-like flying dismount on returning to the winner’s enclosure.
He said: “I knew it was the last day (at Longchamp) for Frankie, so I did it for him!”
Of Ace Impact, he added: “I knew when I was going to push the button he was going to accelerate, and that is what he did.
“It’s amazing to win the Arc for the second time with an amazing horse. He has a wonderful turn of foot. He’s just a champion.
“I started screaming 200 metres from the post because I saw I was going to win, so I started screaming with the horse.”
What the future holds for Ace Impact remains undecided, with various possibilities on the table.
He could be retired to stud with an unbeaten record, he could have a crack at the Japan Cup before the year is out and he could even be back next season, but connections are understandably keen to let the dust settle before committing to anything.
Pauline Chehboub, representing part owners Gousserie Racing, said: “It was a dream to be able to run the horse against all those champions in that race today.
“Obviously we have to take some time and see how the horse is after his race and then discuss it with the whole team, to see what is next.
“The Japan Cup is one of the greatest races on the whole planet, so we we will see. It’s not a no, but we don’t know about the future.”
Highfield Princess bounced back to her very best to claim the Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp Longines with a thrilling late thrust at ParisLongchamp.
John Quinn’s star mare was a regular on the scoresheet at the highest level last season, but although running with real credit throughout the current campaign, she had just the one victory to her name in 2023 as she headed to the French capital.
Having to overcome both a disappointing showing at the Curragh last time and a tricky draw in stall 14, Jason Hart was urging his mount forwards throughout as George Boughey’s Perdika blazed a trail from stall one.
The Boughey raider still looked to have plenty up her sleeve as the field entered the final furlong but as the line approached Perdika’s stride was shortening, while Highfield Princess was edging ever closer and in the shadow of the post, the six-year-old surged to the front to register a welcome return to the sprinting big-time.
Quinn said: “I’m thrilled really. Down the years we have had plenty of horses run really well at this wonderful meeting. In the Abbaye, El Astronaute was third, Liberty Beach was beaten two heads, Safe Voyage was beaten two heads in the Foret.
“It is one of the greatest meetings in the world and I hoped I would one day train a winner here and it is wonderful.”
He went on: “She tries hard and you could say from where she was drawn she was inconvenienced. But she toughed it into the race and toughed it out of the race because two furlongs out she was flat out, but fair dues to her.
“It was a very brave decision (to keep her in training) considering she had won three Group Ones in Europe and was probably one of the best fillies around. I’m so pleased they have been totally vindicated.
“She’s shown she’s as good as any sprinting mare in the world. She showed today what a top-class, sprinting filly she is.”
Quinn will now be urging Highfield Princess’ owners to give the go-ahead for a second tilt at the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint having finished fourth at Keeneland last November.
When asked about the mare’s next run being at Santa Anita next month, Quinn said: “Why not? It was all about today and she came through it well.
“We were very happy with her the last couple of weeks. I will need to speak to my owner but I would be strongly suggesting it.
“We needed to see how today went and today went very well. I wouldn’t rule out the Breeders’ Cup or the big sprint at Hong Kong in December.
“It’s John and his family’s decision whether she’ll race on next year, but as long as she’s OK she could go to Santa Anita or Sha Tin.”
Hart added: “She was flat out all the way. It was only in the last 50 yards when the leader tied up that I knew we were going to win. What a mare, she’s so tough.”
Perdika kept hold of the silver medal with Aidan O’Brien’s Aesop’s Fables and Tom Clover’s Rogue Lightning also on the premises.
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