The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is contested each year on the first Sunday in October at Longchamp.

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ACE Impact enhanced his lofty reputation with an impressive victory in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday to extend his winning sequence to six races.

Jockey Cristian Demuro once again employed the same waiting tactics used so successfully in previous victories that included a last to first win in the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly in June.

The winner had not raced since landing a Group 2 at Deauville 72 days previously and at Longchamp on Sunday, in his first race over a mile and a half, was held up towards rear in the early stages, before being switched wide over two furlongs from the finish.
The unbeaten son of Cracksman made good headway to lead at the furlong marker and proved vastly superior to his rivals and score much easier than the official one and three quarters of a length winning distance indicated.

Ace Impact’s victory proved trainer Jean-Claude Rouget with his second Arc win, after the success of Sottsass in 2020.

“I won with Sottsass three years ago, it was incredible because I started in Pau a long time ago. It’s a long way and two Arcs in four years is fantastic,” said Rouget who now operates stables in Deauville and Pau.

“I am like a very backward horse and I am just maturing now. So I hope I have a few good years again in front of me.

“I know how I started with jumpers and very bad flat horses. With Millkom it was the first sign of a Classic career in 1994 and after we won with Le Havre and Stacelita and now we have a very strong stable.

“Thank you to all of my team. I have two teams now, one in Pau and one in Deauville. There is a lot of work always in a serious, serious way.

“We always say they are the best when they win, I think it is his strong acceleration. It is something I have never seen.

“I don’t know if he will go straight to the stud or run next year. It will be decided between the two owners and me, but I don’t know yet.”

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