CHRISTOPHE Soumillon can be accused of going too soon in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, but that was in 2012 not 2025. In October 2012, Orfevre surged to the lead in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe under Soumillon. He breezed past the eventual winner Solemia pulling two lengths clear before hanging to his right and idling in front allowing Solemia to get back past him and deny the Japanese a much-coveted victory.

The post-race analysis focussed on the rather ungainly waywardness displayed by Orfevre which allowed Solemia to get back up in the closing stages, but a more fundamental question should have been asked and that was ‘did Christophe Soumillon go too soon?’ meaning Orfevre was in front too early giving him time to hang and idle.