With the amount of historical weight given to centennials, the 100th running of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe will be important no matter who wins it in Paris in 13 days’ time. There are, however, multiple story lines that would add even more layers to the race’s already deep history.
For jockey Oisin Murphy, he hopes it comes in the form of riding Japan’s Chrono Genesis to victory, marking a notable first for his career and for the race itself, which has never been won by a horse trained outside Europe.
“The Arc is my favorite race,” said Murphy. “I dreamed of winning the Arc as a child, and I remember Orfevre coming so close. It would be a dream come true if I could win the Arc for Japan.”
This year, Japan presents a deep bench. Although Snowfall is trained in Ireland and runs for Coolmore, she is a Japanese-bred daughter of the legendary Deep Impact, who finished third (and was later disqualified) in the 2006 Arc. Then there is Deep Bond, a grandson of Deep Impact, who made his presence known during the Arc Trials earlier this month when he bounded to an easy victory in the G2 Prix Foy.
While the other two may be garnering the most Arc-related headlines after the Arc Trials, not to be forgotten is the ultra-consistent Chrono Genesis, a gray daughter of the 2004 Arc winner Bago.
A G1 winner during each of the last three years, Chrono Genesis, who is world #9 on the TRC Global Rankings, has won eight of her 15 lifetime starts, and she has only been worse than third once in her career. She has won in Group company on soft, good, and firm ground, and her talent at the top level is one of the things that led Murphy to take the mount.
“She’s got a lot of quality, and she relaxes well,” he said. “She handles different types of ground, and she’s very consistent. It’s great that the race has such standing around the world. I love that all the Japanese racing fans will be supporting me.”
Murphy is no stranger to Japanese racing fans. He has ridden in Japan for two winters, and he was aboard Deirdre when she won the G1 Nassau Stakes at Goodwood, which marked only the second time in history a Japanese horse had won a G1 in England. It is no secret that Japan is also extremely keen to win the Arc in France, Europe’s most valuable prize.
So close so often
Although the record books show Speed Symboli as the initial Arc trail blazer in 1969, he finished 11th and only two horses from Japan would try again in the next three decades.
Then came El Condor Pasa, who led from the start in 1999 and only was denied a historic victory when Montjeu ran him down in dramatic fashion just before the wire. In that moment, the Arc went from being a bit of a lark to a very clear goal for Japanese runners.
Japan has come close again several times. In addition to Deep Impact’s efforts, Nakayama Festa finished second in 2010 and Orfevre filled that spot in both 2012 and 2013.
Chrono Genesis comes into the Arc off a victory in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen in her native Japan. That was made her total four G1s, highlighted by her victory in Japan’s joint-richest race, the 12½-furlong Arima Kinen, last Decemer. But international competition is not new to her. In March, Mishriff defeated her by just a neck in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan.
The 5-year-old mare’s regular rider, Yuichi Kitamura, was aboard Chrono Genesis that day. The race featured a thrilling blanket finish, and third, just a neck back, was Japan’s Loves Only You, who was ridden by Murphy. Well beaten behind were such proven performers as Walton Street, easy winner of Saturday’s G1 Canadian International, G1 Hong Kong Vase scorer Mogul and G1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic winner Channel Maker.
Kitamura was injured this year and is currently on the sidelines. Christophe Lemaire took over riding duties in the Takarazuka Kinen, and it was announced this summer Murphy would have the mount for the Arc.
Although he has not ridden Chrono Genesis yet, Murphy did take note of her while he was in Dubai, and they will have time to get acquainted with each other before the race.
“I saw her training in the mornings, which is a help,” Murphy said. “I will also ride her in a gallop before the Arc, and I’m looking forward to sitting on her. We will all speak before the race and get our opinions across so I’ve got all the information needed.”
Beyond what it would mean to Japan to finally win the Arc, it would also be a milestone for the 26-year-old British champion jockey. Although Murphy has won a number of racing’s biggest prizes, ranging from the 2000 Guineas to the Coronation Stakes to the Juddmonte International Stakes, he wants to add the Arc to his ever-growing list of accomplishments. Incidentally, the very first G1 victory of his career came on Arc Day in 2017, when he rode Aclaim in the Prix de la Foret.
“It would be the biggest victory in my career and a massive personal achievement,” Murphy said of winning the Arc. “Everyone across the world has suffered with the consequences of Covid, and I hope I can give Japanese fans something to be cheerful about on Arc Day.”