Despite all of the outstanding thoroughbred racehorses that have been produced on American soil, success overseas in the major European races has been in short supply.
Jay Trump was the first U.S. owned and trained horse to win the Grand National at Aintree in the UK, Fourstars Allstar was the first horse trained in the United States to win one of Europe’s classics – the 1991 Irish 2,000 Guineas, and Strike the Tiger was a winner at Royal Ascot.
Then there’s Lady Aurelia, of whom veteran jockey Frankie Dettori claimed: “I’ve never seen or experienced anything like it, especially for a 2-year-old.” Together they won the Queen Mary Stakes at the regal Ascot showpiece.
But the wait for a horse with American connections to prevail in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe goes on, although in 2021 there might just be a contender for honors on French soil.
All the Right Moves
He was sired by Frankel, the imperious unbeaten chaser, and his grandsire is Galileo – the powerhouse who won some of the most prestigious races in Great Britain and Ireland before becoming one of the most trusted stallions around.
But Adayar’s dam is very much an American concern. Anna Salai enjoyed a fine career on both sides of the pond, winning high-profile races in Europe including the Prix de la Grotte – run on the same Longchamp track as the Arc – and also finishing a close runner-up in the Irish 1,000 Guineas.
With that breeding, it was always likely that Adayar was going to enjoy a fine career. So far, he hasn’t let his connections down.
His two-year-old season was a low-key affair, but after turning three trainers, Charlie Appleby has really got the horse running hot. A strong showing in a trial race at the Sandown Park track in England was followed by another close second in a Derby Trial at Lingfield Park.
But the coup de grace came at the famous Epsom Downs, where Adayar stunned favorites like Bolshoi Ballet, One Ruler, and Hurricane Lane to win the Group 1 Derby.
Such major pedigree is what has convinced the Godolphin ownership team to pack the three-year-old off to France in October for the race sponsored by Visit Qatar, and, in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe betting odds from Betway, he has been installed as a major contender at +1000. So, could America finally have an Arc winner on its hands?
Feeling the Love
As you would expect at one of the world’s most revered horse races, there are some exceptionally strong contenders that will take on Adayar.
While yet to be officially declared for the race, Snowfall could start as the sportsbook favorite.
The three-year-old has been worked hard in her young career by the famed trainer Aidan O’Brien, with nine runs to her name already. Of those, it’s the double-hander in 2021 – claiming the Musidora Stakes before demolishing the field in the Cazoo Oaks by 16 lengths.
As if that wasn’t tough opposition enough, another quality campaigner from the training yard of the Irishman – the beautifully named, Love – is also expected to compete for glory.
A useful two-year-old season has given way to something rather more spectacular, with four straight wins since. And not just any old wins either – there’s the 1,000 Guineas, the Epsom Oaks, the Yorkshire Stakes, and the Prince of Wales’s Stakes on the resumé of this fantastic filly.
Completing the trio of titans is Tarnawa, a horse that is yet to return to action in 2021 but who has fantastic pedigree.
A winner of the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland, the five-year-old is also a two-time winner at Longchamp in the Prix de l’Opera Longines and the prestigious Prix Vermeille.
It has been suggested that Tarnawa will make her return in time for the French showpiece, and so a phenomenal trio at the top of the betting market are primed to go head-to-head.
However, don’t write off Adayar, who has shown a tremendous turn of speed already and no shortage of heart either. One thing that is for sure, the 2021 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is set to be a classic in all senses of the word.
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