Tag Archive for: Hoppegarten

Al Riffa on trial for Arc when stepping up in trip at Hoppegarten

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Al Riffa could pave the way for a tilt at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe when he heads to Germany for the Westminster 134th Grosser Preis von Berlin on Sunday.

Despite not tasting victory since landing the Group One National Stakes as a two-year-old, Joseph O’Brien’s son of Wootton Bassett has been a regular in elite company and showcased his talent when a gallant second to City Of Troy in the Coral-Eclipse last month.

He will now try a mile and a half for the first time at Hoppegarten, with connections eyeing a shot at Europe’s richest middle-distance prize in early October.

A bold showing at Hoppegarten could ignite Parisian dreams for the Al Riffa team, with the mid-summer visit to the German capital possibly the only stop en route to ParisLongchamp in the autumn.

“It’s the plan (to go to Germany) and he’s been in good shape since the Eclipse,” said O’Brien.

“It will be his first try at a mile and a half but we think that will suit him and he’s been given a nice draw. It would be great if he could be competitive in another Group One.

“I think we’re taking it race-by-race but potentially he could roll straight into the Arc from here.”



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Simca Mille stakes Arc claim with German Group One glory

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Simca Mille entered the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe picture with a decisive victory in the Westminster 133rd Grosser Preis von Berlin.

The Hoppegarten Group One has been used as a stopping point on the route to ParisLongchamp in the past, with 2021 Arc hero Torquator Tasso winning the race in 2020 before chasing home Alpinista during the year of his triumph in Europe’s richest middle-distance contest.

Last year it was Charlie Appleby’s Rebel’s Romance that took home the spoils and stablemate New London made a bold bid from the front looking to repeat the dose for the Godolphin handler.

However, with the challenge of last year’s St Leger second beginning to falter upon straightening for home, the eye was drawn to Stephane Wattel’s French contender who was travelling menacingly in the hands of Alexis Pouchin.

The four-year-old, who skipped the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot last month, soon stormed clear of his pursuers to give his handler a Group One success and earn quotes of 25-1 from 33s from Paddy Power for the Arc in the French capital on October 1.

“It’s fantastic for the horse and I must admit it is nice for me because it is my first Group One after over 30 years of training,” Wattel told Wettstar.

“I’m so happy it happened here in Berlin in front of a fantastic crowd.

“It’s a difficult job and sometimes you have difficult periods, but when it goes well and you train a horse of this quality, we forget everything and we are so happy.

“He’s engaged in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and as you know, some nice winners of the Grosser Preis von Berlin have won the Arc. We might have a try at that and it will be the next target – a very big one.”



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