Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp 2007

The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe was inaugurated on 3rd October 1920 and for me it is the greatest flat horse race for horses of all ages run over one and half miles. It is run at Longchamp on the first Sunday in October every year. There have been some truly great winners of this race over the years none more so than Sea Bird II who won in 1965 and Dancing Brave who won in 1986. This year Authorized is, rightly so, a warm favourite to win. On all known form he has the beating of the rest of the field. Only if the going became very heavy things might swing Soldier of Fortune’s way. For the race card with the runners and riders go to the sporting life.
I have collated the winners since 1959 at the end of the blog for those who want to go down memory lane. It brought back happy memories for me none more so than the 1972 winner San San. Not that I backed her, it was just a great day out organised by the Racegoers’ Club. I went with my dear friends Steve and Pete. We saw Allez France (whose Dad was Sea Bird II ) make her racecourse debut over 1 mile. She won easily ridden by Yves Saint-Martin. Also that afternoon Sallust ridden by Joe Mercer won the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp over 1 mile and gave those of us who had travelled over from England something to shout about.

Now here are those previous winners since 1959.
1959 Saint Crespin III, 1960 Puissant Chef, 1961 Molvedo, 1962 Soltikoff, 1963 Exbury, 1964 Prince Royal II, 1965 Sea Bird II, 1966 Bon Mot, 1967 Topyo, 1968 Vaguely Noble, 1969 Levmoss, 1970 Sassafras (who beat Nijinsky), 1971 Mill Reef, 1972 San San, 1973 Rheingold (who beat Allez France), 1974 Allez France, 1975 Star Appeal (at 119/1), 1976 Ivanjica, 1977 Alleged, 1978 Alleged, 1979 Three Troikas, 1980 Detroit, 1981 Gold River, 1982 (became sponsored by Trusthouse Forte) Akiyda, 1983 All Along, 1984 Sagace, 1985 Rainbow Quest, 1986 Dancing Brave, 1987 Trempolino, 1988 (became sponsored by Ciga) Tony Bin, 1989 Carroll House, 1990 Saumarez, 1991 Sauve Dancer, 1992 Subotica, 1993 Urban Sea, 1994 (became sponsored by Forte) Carnegie, 1995 Lammtarra, 1996 (now known as the Forte Meridien Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe) Helissio, 1997 Peintre Celebre, 1998 Sagamix, 1999 (now known as it is today as Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Lucian Barriere) Montjeu, 2000 Sinndar, 2001 Sakhee, 2002 Marienbard, 2003 Dalakhani, 2004 Bago, 2005 Hurricane Run, 2006 Rail Link.

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