2015 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe


The 2015 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe was a horse race held at Longchamp on Sunday 4 October 2015. It was the 94th running of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
The winner was Anthony Oppenheimer's Golden Horn, a three-year-old colt trained in England by John Gosden and ridden by Frankie Dettori. Golden Horn's victory was the first in the race for his owner and trainer and was a record-equaling fourth success for Dettori. Golden Horn became the seventh winner of the Epsom Derby to win the Arc, following Sea Bird, Mill Reef, Lammtarra, Sinndar, Sea the Stars and Workforce.

The contenders

The five-year-old mare Treve attempted to become the first horse to win the race three times after her successes in 2013 and 2014. She entered the race unbeaten in three races in 2015, including the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and the Prix Vermeille. Her main opposition seemed to come from two three-year-old colts: Golden Horn and New Bay. The British trained Golden Horn's wins had included the Epsom Derby, the Eclipse Stakes and the Irish Champion Stakes. New Bay had appeared to be the best middle-distance colt of his generation in France, winning the Prix du Jockey Club and the Prix Niel. Ireland was represented by Free Eagle and Tapestry. Apart from Golden Horn, the only other British challenger was Eagle Top who finished second in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. The other French contenders were Flintshire, Erupt, Dolniya, Prince Gibraltar, Manatee, Siljan's Saga, Silverwave, Spiritjim, Frine and Shahah who was expected to act as a pacemaker for Treve. Meleagros was a non-runner. Treve was made the 9/10 favourite ahead of New Bay on 4.8/1 and Golden Horn on 5.2/1. Free Eagle and Flintshire were next in the betting ahead of Dolniya, Found and Erupt.

The race

Sahah fulfilled her expected role as a pacemaker, taking the lead soon after the start. Flintshire and New Bay were close behind, whilst Dettori took Golden Horn to the far outside before tracking right to drop in just behind the leader. Treve was among the backmarkers in the early stages along with Found. As the field entered the straight Golden Horn went to the front, opened up a clear advantage and won by two lengths. Flintshire stayed on to take second just ahead of New Bay and Treve.

Race card

Trainers are based in France unless indicated.

Full result

Leading progeny of participants in the 2015 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Stallions


Free Eagle - Khalifa Sat, Justifier
Golden Horn - West End Girl
New Bay - Minor flat winners
Prince Gibraltar - Minor flat winners
Manatee - Offspring yet to race
Silverwave - Standing in France
Flintshire - Exported to America - Offspring yet to race
Erupt - Exported to South Africa
Eagle Top - Exported to Czech Republic

Broodmares


Tapestry - Minor flat winner
Frine - Minor flat runner
Shahah - Minor flat runner
Treve - Offspring yet to race
Siljan's Saga - Offspring yet to race
Found - Offspring yet to race
Dolniya - Offspring yet to race