PRIX VERMEILLE

(Group 1)

IT was a drab and drizzly afternoon at Longchamp last Sunday but the meeting was set alight by some awesome trials for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on October 4th and notably by Treve who humbled her rivals in Qatar Prix Vermeille.

She cantered throughout the mile and a half and is now the even-money favourite to land a historic hat-trick in the French flagship event.

Although it was not obvious from his pedigree, New Bay proved that a mile and a half was well within his capacities with an eye-catching success in the Qatar Prix Niel and he is now second favourite for the Arc at odds of around 5/1.

He ran the distance slightly faster than Treve but it was the Luca Cumani-trained Postponed who set up the best time for the three trials with a gutsy victory in the Qatar Prix Foy.

Over 25 millimetres of rain fell on the Bois de Boulogne track in the 24 hours leading up to the meeting and the officially very soft going led to many of the leading chances in the Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp being withdrawn shortly before the off.

It was really an afternoon for connoisseurs so wonderful to hear Treve being applauded as she entered the paddock. Criquette Head-Maarek had the daughter of Motivator looking in splendid shape before giving 48-year-old Thierry Jarnet the leg up on the five-year-old mare.

He lost the ride to Frankie Dettori after Treve was purchased by Sheikh Joaan Al Thani in 2013 but rode her to win the Arc as the Italian was injured. The following year the filly was beaten in both the Prix Ganay and Prince of Wales’s Stakes so Criquette then insisted that Jarnet should be back in the saddle as there was a bond between man and horse.

The Vermeille had been well-planned so it was not long before the pacemaker Dihna was carrying out her intended role ahead of the Juddmonte International heroine Arabian Queen with Treve running a little keen in mid-division.

Treve was going so easily that a forward move some four furlongs out nearly took her into the lead but Jarnet had control of the situation and restrained her until 400 metres from the line.

The final stages were a joy to watch as she toyed with the opposition. The small but knowledgeable attendance gave the mare a fantastic welcome back to the paddock where Criquette commented: “She’s much better than last year and back to the form which won her the Arc in 2013 (by five lengths).

“Treve just loves Longchamp and particularly the descent before the straight. She is also much better over a right-handed track. She can follow any pace and makes me look good. An amazing mare and it’s unbelievable the way she travels. We’ve still got to win the Arc and not underestimate horses like New Bay and Golden Horn.”

Her 91-year-old father Alec added: “Treve is phenomenal and better than anything I’ve had or seen” and that is some compliment when you consider his training career.

Depending on how things go in the Arc, Sheikh Joaan was asked whether Treve would remain in training as a six-year-old next year. His reply: “You never know.”

Jarnet was not exactly exhausted after the Vermeille. He said: “I didn’t have much to do. She took hold of her bit at the bottom of the descent and we had to wait a little longer. She cantered throughout.”

The winning distance over the runner-up Candarliya was five lengths and the Darley Yorkshire Oaks third Sea Calisi was third and Arabian Queen sixth but going nowhere during the final furlong. Diamondsandrubies finished eighth and never looked likely to take a place in the frame.

Alain de Royer-Dupré commented: “In a normal year, we would have won the Vermeille but Treve is exceptional. I hope Candarliya will stay in training next year. If she races again this season, it won’t be in France.”

Francois Doumen will now be aiming Sea Calisi at the Fillies and Mares race at Ascot in October. It is incredible to think that Treve could have been bought at the Arqana October sale in 2011.

Bred by the Head family’s Haras du Quesnay, she was bought in for €22,000 but Alec Head would have probably let her go for €60,000. After her victory in the Prix de Diane, it is rumoured that Sheikh Joaan paid €8 million, which she has now won in prize money, picking up €525,000 in breeders’ premiums.