JAPAN’s 47 year wait for victory in Europe’s richest race to continue for at least another year

A sense of expectation followed Japan’s sole runner in this year’s renewal of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly and the 2016 Japanese Derby winner Makahiki bore the weight of a nation’s obsession in the French blue ribbon event.

Ridden by the Japan-based Frenchman Christophe Lemaire, the son of Deep Impact was unable to get involved in the race’s conclusion. He crossed the line a dismal 14th of the 16 runners.

Speed Symboli was Japan’s first runner in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 1969. More recently, and most famously, in 2012 the enigmatic Orfevre managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, surrendering a seemingly unassailable lead within the final furlong to be beaten by a quarter of a length by Solemia.

Orfevre returned a year later to once again finish second when he was no match for Treve.