1 Octobre, Paris, France ~ A historic achievement! The 3-year-old French colt Ace Impact has become the first horse to complete the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m), and the “new formula” Qatar Prix du Jockey-Club (won four months earlier).
Ace Impact also maintained his unbeaten record. After being held up towards the rear, Ace Impact showed a blistering turn of foot, towards the outside of the field, which has become his hallmark England’s Westover, sixth last year (when unsuited by the heavy ground) took second – one place ahead of the excellent finisher Onesto, who also contested the 2022 edition of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, but failed to shine (again due to the testing ground). Through Seven Seas took fourth place, with the Irish colt Continuous back in fifth.
Ace Impact was ridden by French-based Italian jockey Cristian Demuro and is trained at Deauville by Jean-Claude Rouget. The two men had already won the race previously, in 2020, with Sottsass.
Ace Impact (CRACKSMAN et ABSOLUTLY ME (ANABAA BLUE) is owned in partnership by Serge Stempniak and Gousserie Racing, the racing wing of the Chehboub family, and owners of the Haras de Beaumont, near Deauville (Normandy), where Ace Impact will stand as a stallion when his racing career ends.
Ace Impact was bred by Mme Waltraut Spanner, at the Haras de Long Champ, a Normandy stud owned by Barbara Moser. He was bought as a yearling for €75,000 at the Arqana August Sale by Jean-Claude Rouget, where he was consigned by Domaine de l’Étang, which is Élise Drouet’s stud. The win time was 2.25.50 .
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