Making history: WALDGEIST takes G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe

In a race for the ages, five-year-old WALDGEIST delivered what could easily be termed the performance of a lifetime at Paris-Longchamp today to become the second horse after Hurrican Run in 2005 to win the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Coming off a confident win in the G2 Qatar Prix Foy three weeks ago, the three-time G1-winning WALDGEIST had his steady partner Pierre-Charles Boudot aboard for his second appearance in Europe's most prestigious €5,000,000 stayer challenge. Facing heavy international competition led by the outstanding British champion mare Enable, who had set out to conclude her active career with a third consecutive win in the Arc, the Andre Fabre-trained colt impressed with a stellar run around the Longchamp oval over 2400 m on soft going.

Breaking well as usual, WALDGEIST was settled by Boudot two wide in eighth place and enjoyed an undisturbed trip that allowed him to find his stride in a race that proved of solid pace. Once the field entered the final straight, the colt did not find an immediate opening and Boudot had to weave him to an outer lane. By that time Enable had already jumped clear of the field by a few lengths. Though with room to run, WALDGEIST now shifted into a higher gear. The five-year-old showed an incredible turn of foot in the last furlong, drew away like a steam train and had run down Enable at the post with a length and three quarters margin. In doing so, he catapulted himself into the history books of horse racing as the one and only horse to ever have beaten the great Enable at the highest performance level there is in horse racing!

WALDGEIST, who was bred by Newsells Park in partnership with Gestut Ammerland and Coolmore, is by GALILEO out of WALDLERCHE, a granddaughter of the multiple German champion mare WURFTAUBE. In a post-race interview by Equida, co-owner Newsells Park Stud manager Julian Dollar spoke us from the heart when he remarked of the late Klaus Jacobs, a very special man indeed who as the founder of Newsells Park Stud would have been thrilled about today's success. He also mentioned with a tearful eye the defeat of the great ENABLE to whom we are pulling our hats in honour of her greatness and outstanding class.

What a special day for us at Gestuet Ammerland! We are immensely grateful to all those, who have made this success possible, especially to partners Newsells Park Stud and Coolmore as well as trainer Andre Fabre and his team, jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot and everyone who has been and still is involved with this amazing horse. Days like these are only made possible by a team effort!

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(06/10/2019)