The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, commonly known as the Arc, is one of the most prestigious and prestigious horse races in the world. It is a Group 1 flat race for Thoroughbreds aged three years or older, run over a distance of 2,400 meters, or about 1.5 miles, at the Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, France. Since its inception in 1920, the Arc has become one of the most prestigious and important races in the world, and has been won by some of the greatest horses of all time. But, has any horse ever won the Arc three times?
History of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, or simply the Arc, has been held at the Longchamp Racecourse in Paris since its inception in 1920. It is the most prestigious of France’s five Group 1 flat races, and is the richest turf race in Europe, with a purse of €5 million. The Arc is held on the first Sunday in October, and is the climax of the prestigious Longchamp Racecourse’s autumn program.
The race was originally established in 1920 as a memorial to the fallen soldiers of World War I, and was initially held at the nearby Compiègne Racecourse. The race was moved to Longchamp in 1931, and has been held at the racecourse ever since.
Notable Winners of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
The Arc has been won by some of the greatest horses of all time, including three-time winners Allez France (1974, 1975, 1977), Triptych (1986, 1987, 1989) and Treve (2013, 2014, 2017).
Other notable Arc winners include three-time U.S. Horse of the Year John Henry, who won the race in 1984, and Sea the Stars, who won the race in 2009 and was later named the world’s best racehorse. Other notable Arc winners include American Pharoah, who won the race in 2015, and Golden Horn, who won the race in 2015 and was later named the world’s best racehorse of the year.
Allez France
Allez France is the only horse to have won the Arc three times, taking the title in 1974, 1975, and 1977. She was a French Thoroughbred mare bred in 1969 by Jean-Luc Lagardère in France. She was sired by the American-bred Sea-Bird and was out of the French mare Etoile Filante.
Allez France was trained by French trainer François Mathet, and was ridden by French jockey Freddy Head in her three Arc wins. She won her first Arc in 1974, at the age of five, and again in 1975 and 1977, both at the age of seven. She was retired at the end of 1977 and was later inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.
Triptych
Triptych was a British Thoroughbred racehorse who won the Arc three consecutive times, in 1986, 1987, and 1989. She was bred in 1982 by Lord Weinstock in England and was sired by the American-bred Rainbow Quest and out of the British mare Glimpse.
Triptych was trained by British trainer Henry Cecil and was ridden in her three Arc wins by British jockey Walter Swinburn. She won her first Arc in 1986 at the age of four, and again in 1987 and 1989, both at the age of six. She was retired at the end of 1989, and was later inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.
Treve
Treve is a French Thoroughbred mare who won the Arc three consecutive times, in 2013, 2014, and 2017. She was bred in 2010 by Ecurie Wildenstein in France, and was sired by the French-bred Motivator and out of the French mare Treize.
Treve was trained by French trainer Criquette Head-Maarek and was ridden in her three Arc wins by French jockey Thierry Jarnet. She won her first Arc in 2013 at the age of three, and again in 2014 and 2017, both at the age of six. She was retired at the end of 2017 and is still active in her retirement.
John Henry
John Henry was an American Thoroughbred who won the Arc in 1984 at the age of nine. He was bred in 1975 by owner Sam Rubin in Kentucky, and was sired by the American-bred Ole Bob Bowers and out of the American mare Once Double.
John Henry was trained by American trainer Ron McAnally and was ridden in his Arc win by American jockey Bill Shoemaker. He went on to win two Eclipse Awards and was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1990.
Sea The Stars
Sea The Stars was an Irish Thoroughbred who won the Arc in 2009 at the age of three. He was bred in 2006 by owner Christopher Tsui in Ireland and was sired by the Irish-bred Cape Cross and out of the Irish mare Urban Sea.
Sea The Stars was trained by Irish trainer John Oxx and was ridden in his Arc win by Irish jockey Mick Kinane. He went on to win the Cartier Horse of the Year Award and was later named the World’s Best Racehorse.
American Pharoah
American Pharoah was an American Thoroughbred who won the Arc in 2015 at the age of three. He was bred in 2012 by owner Ahmed Zayat in Kentucky and was sired by the American-bred Pioneerof the Nile and out of the American mare Littleprincessemma.
American Pharoah was trained by American trainer Bob Baffert and was ridden in his Arc win by American jockey Victor Espinoza. He went on to win the Triple Crown, the Breeder’s Cup Classic, and the Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year.
Golden Horn
Golden Horn was an English Thoroughbred who won the Arc in 2015 at the age of three. He was bred in 2012 by owner Anthony Oppenheimer in England and was sired by the English-bred Cape Cross and out of the English mare Luna Eclipse.
Golden Horn was trained by English trainer John Gosden and was ridden in his Arc win by English jockey Frankie Dettori. He went on to win the Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year and was later named the World’s Best Racehorse.
Conclusion
The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is one of the most prestigious and important horse races in the world. Since its inception in 1920, the Arc has been won by some of the greatest horses of all time. Three horses have won the Arc three times: Allez France, Triptych, and Treve. Other notable Arc winners include John Henry, Sea The Stars, American Pharoah, and Golden Horn.
Although no horse has yet to win the Arc four times, it is certainly possible that a horse may do so in the future. After all, the Arc has been won by some of the greatest horses of all time, and there is no telling what the future may hold.