Workforce supplied trainer Sir Michael Stoute with his first success in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on a day when French filly Goldikova rewrote the record books with her 11th Group One triumph.
Ridden by Ryan Moore, Workforce became only the sixth horse to add the Arc to victory in the Epsom Derby in the same season, joining a select club featuring arguably the best Arc winner of them all - last year’s scorer Sea The Stars.
Bouncing back from a mysterious flop in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, the 6-1 chance edged out Japanese runner Nakayama Fiesta, with French Oaks winner Sarafina in third.
Stoute, runner-up twice in the Arc with Pilsudski, told the BBC: “If you have any ambition from the time you start training you want to win this race.
“We have had a lot of horses running particularly well in it without doing it, so I’m thrilled, especially as he was so impressive on Derby day and the King George performance was inexplicable.
“Ryan felt he should have just switched him off more and I think I may have trained him too hard for the race. I said that to Prince Khalid (Abdullah, owner) afterwards so I think I was proved right on that.
“I don’t know if I’m likely to train him as a four-year-old but I’d love to.
“It’s been a real team effort (to get him back) and I’m not just saying that as a cliche.”
Moore added: “He’s back to his best. We had a nice run through, he’s very brave, the Japanese horse kept at him, but Workforce kept doing enough.”
Moore was nearer last than fast as the field rounded the home bend, but once into the straight Workforce cut through the pack, making light of the testing ground described disparagingly earlier in the day by Andre Fabre as ressembling a “potato patch”.
Once he hit the front Moore had to dig deep to hold off Nakayama Fiesta (22-1), who put in a brilliant performance in his quest to become the first Japanese Arc winner.
Despite his stirring challenge, Workforce on the rails held on to prevail by a head in the four-million euro race.
“The jockey gave him some ride,” Stoute, who had only confirmed Workforce as a certain runner on Thursday after the colt proved his wellbeing in his final gallop, reflected.
Sarafina (12-1) was flying in the final 100 metres to grab the minor placing with Behkabad, the 7-2 favourite, in fourth.
The 9-2 shot Fame And Glory, representing Aidan O’Brien, came in fifth, with Marinous in sixth ahead of the second Japanese contender, Victoire Pisa.
There were some nervy moments for Workforce’s connections as the siren sounded indicating a stewards’ inquiry but it soon became evident the winner was not involved in their deliberations into interference in the straight.
Workforce was handing owner Khalid Abdullah with a fourth Arc after Rainbow Quest (1985), Dancing Brave (1986) and Rail Link (2006).
Earlier Goldikova, trained by Freddie Head who fittingly was the jockey of Miesque, the former holder of the record in Europe with 10 wins, landed Group One win number 11 in the Prix de la Foret.
Head said: “Extraordinary. I was very scared about the going, it was touch and go whether she would run. Olivier (Peslier) rode a great race, now she will head to America for the Breeders’ Cup Mile.”
“Wonderful,” smiled Peslier, “there are no other words.”
Goldikova is gunning now for a third successive win in the Breeders’ Cup Mile where she will once again be taken on by Paco Boy.
The Prix de l’Abbaye produced a 53-1 shock supplied by Gilt Edge Girl, who was providing trainer Clive Cox and Luke Morris with their first success at this level.
Misty For Me looks another potential classic candidate for Aidan O’Brien judged on her comfortable win in the Prix Marcel Boussac where she foiled Helleborine, the favourite trained by Freddie Head’s sister, Criquette.
The marathon Prix du Cadran went to Gentoo, under a clever late ride from Gerald Mosse, while the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere was won by Wootton Bassett, who made it five wins from five, leading from the start.
Ryan Moore riding Workforce (left) wins The Qatar Prix de l'arc de Triomphe from Nakayama Festa at the Hippodrome de Longchamp in Paris. (GETTY)
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