Waldgeist landed the Gr.1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp today for owner/breeders Gestut Ammerland and Newsells Park Stud. 

It was an emotional victory and bitter sweet moment as he beat the superstar mare Enable by Newsells’ stallion Nathaniel who was bidding to make history.  However, it will certainly be an Arc to remember with Newsells Park Stud also breeding the fourth horse home dual Gr.1 winner Japan.

Trainer Andre Fabre said: “”I have so much admiration and respect for Enable that I’m proud Waldgeist could beat her. He pleased me very much at Ascot and he’s stronger and more mature,” added Fabre. “I really thought he was eating the ground at Ascot and had an easy race, so it gave me some confidence.

“After Ascot Pierre-Charles said ‘We’re going to win the Arc’ and was very confident as well. It’s up to the handicapper to rate how good he is but it’s very satisfying to win one of the biggest races in the world.”

Part-owner, Dietrich von Boetticher, speaking at a press conference afterwards, said that he “didn’t expect anyone to beat Enable.”

Waldgeist was adding a fourth Gr.1 success to his form having won the Gr.1 Prix Ganay over 1m2½f at ParisLongchamp earlier this year, as well as the Gr.1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud last year, and at two he was victorious in the Gr.1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud.  Add to that, success in three more Gr.2 races, one Gr.3 and multiple placings in other Gr.1, Gr.2 and Gr.3 races.

Waldgeist was bred by Newsells Park in partnership with Gestut Ammerland under the Waldlerche Partnership.  By Galileo, his dam Waldlerche is a Group 3-winning daughter of Monsun whose half-siblings include St Leger winner Masked Marvel and the Listed winner Waldnah.  She has also produced the Gr.2 winning Waldlied, and Waldstern, plus she has a Kingman colt named Waldkonig and a full-sister to Waldgeist foal.