Green Empress provided Joseph O’Brien with another big-race success when narrowly holding off Data to win the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac at ParisLongchamp on Sunday.

Never out of the first two in her career, she was paying the ultimate compliment to the brilliant Sun Goddess, who to date has been the only filly to beat her – on no less than three occasions.

Ridden confidently by Christophe Soumillon, Green Empress hit the front with half a furlong to run and looked set to win comfortably before Christoper Head’s Data made her pull out all the stops close home.

O’Brien said: “It’s really special for us to have a Group 1 winner on this day and she has been progressive – she’s only ever been beaten by Sun Goddess all year.

“She has a super pedigree, being by Saxon Warrior out of a Sea The Stars mare. We see her as a miler that might go 10 furlongs at some stage.

“We’ll see how she comes out of today and discuss with the owners whether she’ll go to America (Breeders’ Cup) or whether we wait for next year.”

The success was the latest Group One triumph in a stellar year for O’Brien, who added: “We’re very lucky to have the support of some great people and a wide variety of owners.

“For us it’s about performing and executing at big meetings. It’s fantastic to have a big winner on Arc day.”

By Saxon Warrior out of a Sea The Stars mare, Green Empress was bred by Sunderland Holdings (owners of Sea The Stars) and sold for just €55,000 at the Goffs Orby Sale to Highflyer and Joseph O'Brien.

She raced initially for Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, finishing second to Sun Goddess first time out, before being bought privately by The Thoroughbred Racing Corporation.