Bluestocking beats boys in Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

Winner of the Prix Vermeille (G1) last month over the same 1 1/2 miles of ParisLongchamp turf, England-based filly Bluestocking more than paid back her US$131,784 supplement fee when she won Sunday taking on males in the US$5.5 million Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

It was a victory worth US$3.25 million for breeder-owner Juddmonte, whose late founder Prince Khalid Abdullah had won Europe’s most prestigious race six times. The seven combined wins are a record, breaking a tie with Marcel Boussac.

The triumph earned Bluestocking, who also won the Pretty Polly (G1) in June at the Curragh, an invitation to the Breeders’ Cup Turf on Oct. 2 at Del Mar.

Bluestocking’s last effort against males came this summer when she finished fourth in the International Stakes (G1) at York.

“After the (International), we decided to return to the female races,” Beckett said. “Bluestocking did so well in the Vermeille, which was very competitive, that we thought about supplementing her in the Arc. She had come back very well from that race, and we just kept her spirits up until the Arc.”

A 4-year-old Camelot filly, Bluestocking raced close to the leaders on a track made heavy by morning rain. The race was led by Los Angeles ahead of Bluestocking and the 7-2 favorite Sosie. Zarakem found himself in a good position at the rail with Aventure at his side.

In the final straight Los Angeles tried to pull away, but he was attacked quickly by Sosie and then Bluestocking and Aventure, who set off in pursuit.

Bluestocking took the lead for good with a quarter-mile to go and ran on with first-time Arc-winning jockey Rossa Ryan to a 1 1/4-length triumph.

“The straight was very long to live,” Beckett said. “I was afraid that a horse would come to get ahead of her at the end, ... especially since Bluestocking took the advantage early.”

Aventure finished second, and it was another 1 1/2 lengths back to Los Angeles in third. Sosie, who plateaued on a track that was probably too soft for him, hung on for fourth. The stayer Sevenna’s Knight finished a good fifth ahead of Zarakem.

The winning time was 2:31.58 for the 1 1/2 miles without a run-up.

As the field of 16 approached the last half-mile, Haya Zark suffered what proved to be a fatal injury.

Trained by first-time Arc winner Ralph Beckett, Bluestocking is out of Matron Stakes (G1) winner Emulous, a Dansili mare.