Countdown to Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe 2009

The clock is running down to this Sunday (4th October) when the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe will be run over 12 furlongs at Longchamp. This is the greatest flat race in Europe and is always won by a very good horse. We are all hoping that Sea the Stars will be able to run and win and prove what a great horse he is. The comparisons are already being made with Dancing Brave, Mill Reef and Sea Bird II (pictured at the start of the 1965 English Derby).
For us old timers Sea Bird II’s performances in the Derby and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe were breathtaking. He won the Derby without coming off the bit. I can still see him striding up the Epsom straight with his head in his chest. In the Arc de Triomphe he made a high class field look very ordinary and won by six lengths showing a tremendous turn of foot. The margin would have been more had he not drifted across the course in the last furlong.
Sea the Stars is already a great horse, having won over 8 furlongs, 10 furlongs and 12 furlongs. Like Sea Bird II he has got physically stronger as the season has progressed and I am sure we will be talking of him in the same breath as the great Sea Bird II after the Arc de Triomphe.

For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".