Sottsass gained sweet redemption as he led home a clean sweep for French-trained runners in Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp.
Third in the race 12 months ago after winning the Prix du Jockey-Club, trainer Jean-Claude Rouget made no secret he was only interested in one race for Sottsass in 2020.
Enjoying a perfect run, Christian Demuro parked Sottsass in third place on the rail as Persian King set a consistent speed in the lead.
Electing to come out wide rather than switch to the inside as the cutaway rail took effect in the home straight, Sottsass gradually asserted his authority over a gallant Persian King (Kingman) to score by half a length with the Deutsches Derby winner In Swoop (Adlerflug) closing late to take second place. (Pic: France Galop/Scoop Dyga)
As for Enable, chasing history with a third victory in the race, she looked big in the mounting yard and was unable to quicken in the home straight, eventually finishing sixth, beaten just over six lengths.
A stewards’ inquiry was called to look at crowding in the home straight however, placings remained unaltered.
Rouget told the Sporting Life Sottsass had been trained all year with this race in mind.
“Just after the race last year we thought he was a horse made for this race,” Rouget said.
“Between the Ganay (in June) it was a long time. When we ran in Deauville (in August) he was a bit fat and and Skalleti is a very good horse. He is a Group One horse on soft ground, but we had to run in that race instead of going to York (Juddmonte International).
“The choice to go to Leopardstown (Irish Champion Stakes) was tough, too, and not the Foy. We chose to run him over a shorter distance to give him speed. I think that was a good choice.
“All was made to have the horse 100 per cent today. The result is there.
“The fact the (Aidan) O’Brien horses were not there was easier to understand how the pace will be. I was not surprised to see Persian King in front, because for him it was the best way because he did not pull – he ran a magnificent race at this distance because it was not his trip or his ground.
“We had a good draw to stay behind him and our horse stays the distance better than him.
“John Gosden is a good trainer and if I was beaten I wanted it to be by Enable because she is a super filly, but there is only one winner in the race.”
Rouget added he was unsure of the future with the four-year-old.
Sottsass is owned in association with Coolmore. I do not know if he will run again, but it is not the question for today. Whether the horse retires is not my decision.