Sakhee sprints to Arc glory

Godolphin pulled off what must surely rank as one of their greatest triumphs ever when pre-race favourite Sakhee blazed home to win the 80th Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Europe's most prestigious flat race, here yesterday.

The four-year-old Bahri colt left the reputation of some of Europe's best middle distance horses in tatters as he cruised to victory, winning by a handsome margin of six lengths.

Unbeaten French filly Aquarelliste, widely perceived as the horse they all had to beat, could only finish second, a length ahead of French Derby disappointment Sagacity with English 2,000 Guineas winner Golan a short-head back in fourth place.

Sakhee's seven length demolition of a high-class Juddmonte International field at York last month was no flash in the pan.

The win also gave Godolphin what is only their second Arc success since Lammtarra in 1995 and capped a fantastic late season revival for the Dubai-owned stable who have plundered eight Group One victories in the span of two months.

"I'm on top of the world," said winning jockey Frankie Dettori who completed 100 Group One victories. "I said yesterday, that the only way Sakhee could lose was if I fell off him!

"I've ridden some great horses but I've never come to a big race like the Arc and been so confident. He's really a fantastic horse and has come right at right time."

In fact, Sakhee did everything right in the mile and a half contest run on muggy ground conditions at Longchamp.

Dettori had him handily placed behind the German bred pacemaker Anzillero who showed the way to Sadler's Creek, the pacemaker for Irish St. Leger winner Milan, who was followed closely by Prix Niel winner Golan and the French Derby winner Anabaa Blue.

As the pace quickened Dettori coaxed Sakhee up into third place behind Anzillero and Anabaa Blue as the rest of the field dropped back a bit. But clearly Sakhee was the horse with the best strides.

Entering the top of the five furlong straight Sakhee eased into the lead under Dettori's classic hands and heels style and he pulled clear to win as he liked.

"He's a top class horse and this was a top class performance," said a delighted Godolphin trained Saeed bin Suroor.

"My only concern was the soft ground, but once I saw Sakhee well placed in fifth and third , I knew that he would win. I'm not surprised at all that he won by six lengths.

"This is one of my best wins of the year and together with Fantastic Light, has really made the year a memorable one for Godolphin. I'm really, really very happy."

Having viewed yesterday's form Godolphin are mulling options to run Sakhee in the Dubai Champion Stakes on October 20 at Newmarket, England or the Breeders' Cup meeting in New York a week later.

Simon Crisford, the Godolphin Racing Manager, was also waxing lyrical in the wake of Sakhee's brilliant performance.

He said: "We've had some great champions over the past eight years, but Sakhee is up among the best. He is every bit as good a horse as we've every had a Godolphin. Certainly as good as Swain, Lammttarra or Daylami every were.

"Horses like him are so very special and they don't come along all that often."

The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is the seventh race in the Emirates World Series Racing Championship, sponsored by Emirates, the award winning airline of the UAE. The series brings together 12 of the world's most famous middle distance races - four each from America, Europe and Australasia.