Solemia upstages Dettori and Camelot

Olivier Peslier, who was winning a fourth Arc, timed his run to perfection on the 41-1 filly after Orfevre, the big race favourite, had appeared to provide Japan with a first victory in Europe’s blue riband race.

Orfevre’s jockey Christophe Soumillon had overcome a seemingly disadvantageous draw on the outside before storming into a decisive lead that evaporated as the winning post came into sight.

Godolphin’s Masterstroke was third while John Gosden’s Great Heavens was the first British runner home in sixth, one place in front of Derby and 2000 Guineas hero Camelot.

On stamina sapping ground, Camelot’s jockey Frankie Dettori believed fatigue – and a couple of cuts – were factors for Aidan O’Brien’s horse who was denied the Triple Crown at Doncaster last month.

“It was just a long season taking its toll. I had a perfect trip and he took me beautifully into the straight on the bridle, but just as soon I knew we were in trouble and in fairness to the horse he’s been going for some time since the Guineas,” he said.

As for O’Brien, he gave the clearest indication yet that Camelot will stay in training next season as a four-year-old. “Camelot wants fast ground and it’s been a long, hard season. He’s also come back minus two or three shoes. He’s something for us to look forward to next season, as he will remain in training. Hopefully he has a good winter and he could be something unbelievable next year,” said O’Brien.

As for the victor, the second successive filly to win the contest after Danedream’s triumph 12 months ago, trainer Carlos Laffon-Parias was as stunned as most of the crowd at Longchamp and credited the result to one man – Peslier – before questioning the hype that has surrounded Camelot this season.

“Sometimes the jockey can make the difference and Olivier Peslier is the one who won the race,” he said.

“People were saying Camelot was unlucky in the St Leger and maybe it was the jockey’s fault but the winner of the St Leger is not really a Group One horse and maybe Camelot is not that good.”

William Buick, who says he was “proud” of Great Heavens finishing sixth, landed his eighth Group One success of the year when Gordon Lord Byron won the Prix de la Foret, reeling in Penitent who is trained near York by the in-form David O’Meara.

Gordon Lord Byron has been a revelation this season for trainer Tom Hogan, who could not have envisaged victory in this seven- furlong test at the start of the year. It was a second successive victory in the seven-furlong race for Buick who prevailed 12 months ago on the brilliant and now retired Dream Ahead.

A vintage day for France had begun when Wizz Kid, the sole home entry, defeated Yorkshire’s six-strong contingent in the Prix de l’Abbaye, Europe’s premier sprint. He came with a late flourish under Gerald Mosse to deny Richard Fahey’s July Cup mudlark Mayson and the Tim Easterby-trained Hamish McGonagall.

“We got mugged close to home but that’s racing. He’s run a great race but I hate finishing second. He might go to Ascot now (Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes),” said Fahey.

As for Easterby, he was phlegmatic. “He ran a mighty race. He’s an absolute superstar and he’s got a massive heart. He’s got the speed for this ground, but Wizz Kid came past him like a bullet. We’ll give him a well-earned break now, but the idea would be to come back for this next season.”

Easterby, who trains near Malton, could at least be consoled by Body And Soul’s impressive victory in the totepool.com Two-Year-Old Trophy at Redcar on Saturday. The filly, who cost just £7,500, has now won in excess of £250,000 after adding this valuable event to her Weatherbys Super Sprint victory at Newbury.

Meanwhile, Hambleton handler Kevin Ryan’s Indian Jade was third to Richard Hannon’s Olympic Glory following a hard-fought Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere for two-year-old rising stars. In four previous starts, the victor’s only defeat had come at the hands of ante-post 2000 Guineas favourite Dawn Approach in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. Both Olympic Glory and Indian Jade are bound for next year’s Guineas.

There was slight disappointment for Bedale’s former Grand National-winning jockey Graham Lee – he could only finish second on High Jinx in the finale, his first ride at Longchamp. His time will come after a spectacular debut season on the Flat that has seen him enter the top 10 in the jockeys’ standings.