In 2013 Treve was a highly regarded three-year old when she left the gate as second favourite in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, France. The bay filly out of Epsom Derby winner Motivator and dam Trevise broke poorly but steadily made up ground over the 1 1/2 mile course to pull away by five lengths. Treve subsequently carted home Champion three-year-old Filly and Horse of the Year honours as Europe’s premier race horse.
Owner Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad kept Treve in training as a four-year old mare and for many months the decision looked unwise as she suffered through three successive defeats. As a result, when she was saddled to defend her Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe title Treve was virtually ignored by the betting public and sent off at an uninspired 11/1 in a twenty horse field. Jockey Thierry Jarnet snatched the lead with an inside move on the final turn and Treve galloped home two lengths clear of the field.
Treve became only the seventh horse in the 95-year history of Europe’s most prestigious race to capture the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe twice. None made it to the winner’s circle a third time. Approaching Longchamp for the third year with history possibly in the making, the aged mare has enjoyed a flawless 2015 campaign. Jarnet is back as well, seeking to become the first jockey to guide five mounts to victory in de Arc.
Trainer Criquette Head-Maarek has been quoted as saying Treve is “stronger physically” than last year and she has proved it on the track with victories in all three of her races as a five year-old. Head-Maarek has even gone so far as to insert a pacemaker in this year’s race to bring an honest pace to what promises to be a short field against her champion horse. It will take a punter of stout conviction to bet against Treve making history at Longchamp Racecourse and Ladbrokes has installed the mare as a convincing 4/5 favorite.
【Ladbrokes: 2015 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Winner Odds】
Europe’s leading horsemen are not stepping aside in Treve’s quest for unprecedented glory, however. A trio of top-flight three-year olds have been making noise all summer and will comprise the greatest obstacle in her path on the Longchamp turf. Leading the challengers will be New Bay, winner of the French Derby in May at 10 furlongs and two subsequent races this summer. The chestnut colt will be in the hands of Vincent Cheminaud, France’s champion jump rider but still an apprentice jockey in flat racing.
New Bay trainer André Fabre knows a bit about transitioning from jump horses as well, having begun his career as a jump jockey after tossing aside his law degree. Fabre went on to become France’s most accomplished trainer, being voted champion trainer every year from 1987 until 2007. Now in his 70th year, Fabre has saddled a record seven Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winners. His last came in 2006 with Rail Link but Coral is excited about New Bay’s chances, making him a short 4/1 second favourite against Treve.
【Coral: 2015 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Winner Odds】
The English three-year old contingent is led by Jack Hobbs and Epsom Derby winner Golden Horn, both competing out of John Gosden’s stable. Gosden’s inclination is not to run both horses in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe but he is closely watching track conditions before making a final decision. Through the 2015 campaign Golden Horn has proven himself to be the fleeter of the two but he will ship to Paris only if turf conditions remain dry. For those punters watching the sky, no rain is expected in Paris during race week but there is a chance for showers on the eve of the race. Ladbrokes is offering 9/2 odds on Golden Horn, the same as New Bay.
Gosden would prefer to hold Jack Hobbs back for the Champion Stakes in England a few weeks hence but the weather could force his hand and send the colt up against Treve. Jack Hobbs finished a game second to Golden Horn in the Epsom Derby and three weeks later returned to the track to capture the Irish Derby. The colt is still on the light side physically and Gosden expects him to grow into his frame as an older horse. He expects Jack Hobbs’ most intimidating days to be in his future. The bookmakers seem to agree as Jack Hobbs has been listed as 12/1 in the weeks leading up to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
With the array of equine talent lined up at the head of the field, support for long shots has been hard to find. One intriguing entry who ships in under the guidance of Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien is Found. In last year’s undercard on Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe day, Found made a late run to power away from the field of juvenile fillies in the Group One Prix Marcel Boussac. Her three-year old campaign was stilted by illness but she scored a comfortable win in the Royal Whip Stakes at the Curragh in August and came back 20 days later to finish a strong runner-up to Golden Horn in the Irish Champion Stakes.
Only six-Irish trained horses have triumphed in Longchamp’s premier racing exhibition and none of those have been female. So Found could make a little history of her own. Ladbrokes has Found at the head of the second tier of entries at 14/1 and Coral oddsmakers are a bit less enthusiastic in offering odds of 16/1, the same as Free Eagle. While the eyes of the horse racing world will certainly be trained on Treve as she looks to etch her name permanently into racing history, long shot players may do well to save a few glances for this promising lady.
