Outsider Solemia takes the Arc Irish-bred Solemia (33/1) sprung a huge surprise when beating Orfevre by a neck in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp. Ridden by Olivier Peslier and trained by Carlos Laffon-Parias, the four year old filly claimed one of Europe's most prestigious prizes when cutting down the Japanese star close home with over £20,000 matched at 1.01 on Betfair on the runner-up; Masterstroke was fully seven lengths adrift in third. Ernest Hemingway and Robin Hood - stablemates of Camelot - cut out the early running with Solemia, well drawn in sixth, always prominent under Peslier. However, it looked as though Orfevre was going to claim an historic first victory for Japan in the race at the thirteenth attempt when the four year old swept to the front under Christophe Soumillon having passed the whole field. Having gone around three lengths clear, the son of Stay Gold began to tie up and, agonisingly for his supporters, Peslier forced the Poliglote filly's head in front on the line to claim a famous success. Victory provided Peslier with a fourth win in the race as well as completing a double on the card for himself and Laffon-Parias. He joins only Jacques Doyasbère, Freddy Head, Yves Saint-Martin and Pat Eddery as a quadruple winner Peslier said: "I'm very honoured, and as I'm still riding maybe I will break that record. "I was pushing her along with the pace but when I saw Orfevre go past I thought I would ride for second or third. Then I saw Orfevre slowing a bit, so I fought with her and I knew she could catch him. "I respected Orfevre the most in the race, and I have ridden in Japan a lot so it's sad for the Japanese, but these things happen in racing." Solemia was last seen finishing third behind Shareta in the Prix Vermeille but conditions had gone against the latter who never showed up at all in the testing ground. Laffon-Parias said: "She had a hard first part of the season so we gave her a two-month break and started to prepare her for the Arc. "Soft ground is very important to her, but Olivier made the difference. I hoped she might get a place and obviously this is much better." Laffon-Parias went on: "It's a big day for me to have all my family with me. It's my third runner in the Arc, but the first that I've had with a chance. "Sometimes the jockey can make the difference and Olivier Peslier is the one who won the race. "To be honest I think the fillies are better than the colts and the older horses are better than the three-year-olds. "People were saying Camelot was unlucky in the St Leger and maybe it was the jockey's fault but the winner of the St Leger is not really a Group One horse and maybe Camelot is not that good." Pierre-Yves Bureau, racing manager for the winning owners, said: "It's just magnificent. She's such a nice, big filly and Olivier rode a perfect race - that's why you have a big jockey in a big race. "I'm very pleased for the Wertheimers because of the investment they have made in racing over the years." Solemia is owned, like the marvellous Goldikova, by the Wertheimer brothers and Alain Wertheimer said "She will run again this season, in Los Angeles at the Breeders' Cup." Camelot was sent off as favourite on his attempt to recover his reputation after defeat in the St Leger and was given every chance by Frankie Dettori but victory never looked likely and the three year old emptied out close home. It was reported afterwards that he lost three shoes in the race and suffered a cut to a hind leg. Aidan O'Brien said of Camelot: "He's the best I've ever trained. He's going to be something special next year. Today he was just flat in himself. "I always thought he was a mile and a quarter horse who would get a mile and a half. A mile and a quarter will be his best trip." On St Nicholas Abbey who finished behind Camelot, O'Brien commented: "The Breeders Cup is the plan for him. Obviously the ground went [against him] here. "He's a light moving horse and Joseph always said he's a fast ground horse."
