Hurricane And Fallon Run To Arc Glory

Kieren Fallon brought Hurricane Run from what looked an impossible position to take the Prix de l´Arc de Triomphe and complete a fine day for his Coolmore paymasters at Longchamp.

This victory, the rider´s first in the race, brought up a hat-trick of Group One wins for the rider aboard Coolmore-owned horses during the afternoon.

And even Fallon, who has experienced every kind of high and low in the racing game in recent seasons, admitted it was probably the best day of his racing career.

Well in rear in the early stages, Fallon seized upon a gap which opened up on the inside of the field as the runners hit the home straight.

Suddenly, having looked to have it all to do, Hurricane Run was surging up the rail, picking off his rivals one by one.

The good news for racing fans is the son of Montjeu - who himself won this race in 1999 for Hurricane Run´s part-owner Michael Tabor - will stay in training next season.

And there must be every possibility given his late-maturing profile the colt will go on to even better as a four-year-old.

Tabor also refused to totally rule out a trip to the Breeders´ Cup later this month for the winner, who certainly did not seem to have that hard a race, even in the muddy conditions.

The two pacemakers, Windya and Voltmeter, had done their jobs well by setting a decent gallop in the rain.

Frankie Dettori was the first to commit on Cherry Mix, but Godolphin´s hope could not maintain his challenge, while Shawanda - who was ridden close to the pace - was another in the firing line with two furlongs to run.

Next to hit the front was Derby hero Motivator, cheered on by the Royal Ascot Racing Club legions, who found an opening on the inside and briefly stuck his head in front a furlong and a half out.

But it was soon Westerner who looked the likeliest winner, the brilliant stayer having been slightly outpaced off the home turn but now flying down the centre of the course with a full head of steam.

However, with each change in the running order at the head of affairs, Hurricane Run was steadily gaining ground and he led inside the final furlong to beat Westerner by two lengths.

Last year´s Arc winner Bago flew late to grab third, with Shirocco fourth and Motivator losing two places in the final strides as he faded into fifth.

It was a riding performance of audacity and brilliance, Fallon following his earlier wins on Rumplestiltskin in the Prix Marcel Boussac and the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere on Horatio Nelson.

But Fallon is no more or less a maestro of his profession than Hurricane Run´s trainer Andre Fabre, who was winning the race for the sixth time having struck with Sagamix (1998), Peintre Celebre (1997), Carnegie (1994), Subotica (1992) and Trempolino (1987).

'When there is a strong pace you can afford to ride them like that,' Fallon said as he reflected upon the race. 'I could have made my move sooner, but I knew they were going quick enough and when they do that they often fan out across the course and leave gaps open.

'I made the right decision. You take risks going up the inside but if often pays off when you go that way. Eight times out of 10 it´s the right thing to do.

'I had a lot of confidence in him today. He was on his toes but he felt really good going to post.

'He is growing up all the time. When I rode him at the Curragh he was a big baby but he´s going the right way now.

'It´s been a great day and it doesn´t get any better than three Group Ones - although having said that it was nearly four as Mona Lisa was a bit unlucky when she finished second!'

Having finished second in the French Derby, his only defeat, Hurricane Run was purchased by Tabor to join the Coolmore stallion team at the end of his racing days.

But having seen son emulate father, the owner looked more amazed than anyone as he watched replays of the race in the winner´s enclosure.

'Somebody asked earlier if you can still get excited when this sort of thing happens, but to see that race ought to answer that for you,' Tabor said.

'I still cannot believe he managed to win from where he was. He just showed what a good horse he is. It was something to behold.

'I don´t know about the Breeders´ Cup for him. We haven´t discussed it at all so I guess we need to sit down and talk it through.

'But he will definitely stay in training next year. We want to enjoy him - that´s what racing is all about.'

Westerner is also set to remain in training next season after turning in the performance of his life to finish second.

Admittedly suited by the ground and the early gallop, the six-year-old showed tremendous courage to comfortably prove far stronger than all of his rivals bar one.

And trainer Elie Lellouche said he would be happy to campaign the horse at a mile and a half again in the future, opening up a number of opportunities.

Owner Alex Wildenstein added: 'I was delighted with that. I am very proud of the horse. The only thing is perhaps he was a little too close and free early on, but he has run very well.

'Olivier (Peslier) gave him a very good ride and I have no doubt we took the right decision running him here. I would much rather finish second in the Arc than win the Cadran.'

Hong Kong rather than Melbourne is the likeliest next stopping point for Westerner.

Third-home Bago heads for the Breeders´ Cup Turf in search of his consolation, but the participation of Motivator in that race may now be in some doubt with connections considering Newmarket´s Champion Stakes as an alternative.

'He did very well, but it´s all about winning in this game,' said trainer Michael Bell. 'It´s very unfortunate the gap opened on the rail a bit sooner than we would have wanted. He hit the front with 300 metres to run which on this ground, into a head wind, is quite a tall order.

'I have to say, maybe the winner would have beaten us anyway so we have still run a very creditable race, but you really need everything to fall into place in these races.

'I think that next time we will play our hand a little later, but I don´t think Johnny (Murtagh) had a choice but to take the gap that opened for him today when he did. It was just one of those things.

'There is the Breeders´ Cup for him, or the Champion as an alternative.'

Motivator and Bago are both available at 8-1 with Coral for Belmont, with Azamour remaining the 4-1 favourite.

? PA Sport