Arc Weekend: Three Irish Eye-Catchers There were a total of 11 Group races run at Longchamp over Saturday and Sunday, including eight Group 1s, many of which had Irish representation. Indeed, it was a tremendously successful meeting for the Irish-based trainers, who came away with four winners and several placed horses. Here are three for the notebook. Tennessee Stud Joseph O’Brien oversaw out a notable 1-2 in the Group 2 Prix Chaudenay - the opening race of the two days - with only a neck separating Tennessee Stud and Emit. Stable jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle chose right, hitting the front on the son of Wootton Bassett fully 3f from home and the pair kept on doggedly to prevail, the first two home pulling seven lengths clear of the rest. Third in the Epsom Derby and fourth in the Irish equivalent at The Curragh, this was Tennessee Stud’s first start beyond 1m4f and he passed the test with flying colours, justifying strong market support in the process. He was entitled to beat his stablemate by further according to official ratings, but the race was run in difficult conditions and he showed a thoroughly likeable attitude. A Group 1 winner on heavy ground at Saint-Cloud as a two-year-old, he looks firmly on his way back to the top and has the potential to improve again, especially with another winter behind him. He clearly acts on deep ground, though he’s by no means dependent on it, his efforts in both Derbys, which were run on good, highlighting that fact. There’s not a great deal of strength in depth in the staying division at the top level at present and I wouldn’t be surprised should Tennessee Stud emerge as a leading contender in all the Cup races in 2026 - a crack at the Melbourne Cup already being mooted. Diamond Necklace A third Arc may have eluded Aidan O’Brien, but Minnie Hauk ran a mighty race in defeat and capped what had already been a good day for the Ballydoyle maestro; Diamond Necklace and Puerto Rico having landed the opening two races on Sunday. Diamond Necklace remains unbeaten and is improving rapidly, likely bettering the form of last month’s Leopardstown Listed win by quite some margin under Christophe Soumillion in the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac. She now rightly heads the betting for both the 1,000 Guineas and Epsom Oaks, the daughter of St Mark’s Basilica still reportedly considered babyish by her trainer and with significant improvement to come. Her sire didn’t win his first Group 1 until the Dewhurst (late October) and he was nothing short of sensational at three, winning all four of his outings - the French 2,000 Guineas, French Derby and the Eclipse at Sandown, before signing off with an Irish Champion Stakes success. Stamina at 1m4f isn’t assured, though her dam, Prudenzia, did win over 1m3f at Listed level. She’s currently 8/1 for the first Classic of the season at Newmarket next May and it’s unlikely she’ll be anything like that price on the day. Barnavara I was thrilled to see Jessica Harrington get on the scoresheet with Barnavara, who in landing the Group 1 Prix de l'Opera took her career record to an impressive 5-13. The daughter of Calyx was having her first start in a Group 1 and, while she only just scrambled home in a busy finish (the first six finishing in a heap), there’s reason to believe we’re only just scratching the surface with her, given her sizeable frame and scope for further improvement. Shane Foley has been on board for all bar one of her races and he and the filly have really clicked this season - this her fourth win in her last five outings. An uncomplicated front-runner, she’s got a huge stride and a galloping track is key. She’s effective on different types of ground and looks sure to be a major force in all the type level fillies’ races from a mile to 1m2f for as long as she remains in-training.
