TOTAL PRIX MARCEL

BOUSSAC (GROUP 1)

THE English domination of the supporting races on Qatar Arc de Triomphe day at Chantilly started when the inexperienced Wuheida ran out the convincing winner of the Total Prix Marcel Boussac in the hands of William Buick. She ran on to hold a slightly unlucky Promise To Be True by three-quarters of a length with the favourite Dabyah close up third after just failing to stay the one-mile distance.

The much fancied Toulifaut had an unlucky race. She was often short of room and nearly fell before the furlong marker when a gap failed to open.

Trained by Charlie Appleby, Wuheida was well fancied first time out as she started favourite for a maiden at Newmarket in early August and the runner-up and fourth have since franked the form.

The Dubawi filly looked a little outpaced when the longtime leader Dabyah quickened things up 300 metres out but then she ran on to account for the Coolmore runner Promise To Be True well inside the final furlong.

There was a long stewards’ enquiry after the Group 1 race but it was not concerned with the Buick-ridden winner (he had been suspended 30 days after the Prix de Diane) or the second and third.

The officials left the result unaltered considering that Ioritz Mendizabal did not have enough space when wishing to make a forward move on Toulifaut, who had been sold the previous night at the Arqana Arc sale to Katsumi Yoshida for €1.9 million.

Wuheida is Godolphin-owned and Darley-bred and Appleby commented: “She beat some good horses first time out and showed that she was top class at home. We will be looking at the 1000 Guineas and Oaks next year.”

Aidan O’Brien was well pleased with Promise To Be True. “She is still a little immature but ran well. The filly will probably not run again this year.”

John Gosden said of Dabyah: “She has a lot of speed and didn’t quite stay the mile.’’