The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is the most prestigious horse race in Europe, and for many, the highlight of the European flat racing season. It takes place on the first Sunday of October at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, and the race is open to horses aged three and above. The race is renowned for its long and illustrious history, with the first running of the race taking place in 1920. One of the most impressive feats in the history of the race is a horse winning the Arc three times. While this has never been achieved, there have been several horses who have come close. In this article, we will explore the horses who have come the closest to winning the Arc three times, and what makes them so special.
The History of the Arc
The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is a Group 1 flat race, run over a distance of 2,400 meters (approximately 1.5 miles). The race is open to thoroughbred horses aged three years and older and is held at the Longchamp Racecourse in Paris. The first running of the Arc took place in 1920 and was won by Comrade, ridden by French jockey Jean Galtier. Since then, the race has grown in prestige and has become one of the most sought-after wins in the world of thoroughbred racing.
The Record of Three-Time Winners
While no horse has ever won the Arc three times, there have been several who have come close. The closest any horse has come was in 1975, when the legendary French mare Allez France won the race for the second time, having also won it in 1973. Allez France was a record breaker, becoming the first horse to win both the Arc and the Washington, D.C. International in the same year. She also holds the record for the fastest time in the Arc, having run the 1.5 miles in 2 minutes, 28.6 seconds in 1973.
Other Horses Who Have Come Close
Allez France is not the only horse to have come close to winning the Arc three times. In the 1950s, the great French stallionKsar was successful in the Arc, winning it in 1921, 1922, and 1926. He was the first horse to win the race twice and holds the record for most wins in the Arc, with four in total. Another horse who came close to winning the Arc three times was the legendary British mare Dahlia, who won the race in 1974 and 1975, and finished second in 1976.
The Legendary Horses of the Arc
The Arc has seen a number of legendary horses over the years, with some of the most famous being Ksar and Allez France. Both horses have become synonymous with the race, and for good reason. Ksar is the only horse to have won the Arc four times, while Allez France holds the record for the fastest time in the race. Other legendary horses include Dahlia, who won the race in 1974 and 1975, and the great French stallion Ribot, who won the race in 1955, 1956, and 1957.
The Arc in the Modern Era
Since the turn of the millennium, the Arc has seen a number of horses who have come close to winning the race three times. In 2001, the great Japanese mare Triptych won the race for the second time, after also winning it in 2000. She also holds the record for most wins in the Japanese Triple Crown, with three in total. More recently, the great French mare Treve won the race in 2013, 2014, and 2017. She is the only horse to have won the race three times in the 21st century.
The Influence of the Arc
The Arc has had an enormous influence on the sport of thoroughbred racing over the years. It is one of the most prestigious races in Europe, and its winners are often regarded as some of the greatest horses of their generation. The Arc has also seen some of the greatest jockeys in the sport, with the likes of Lester Piggott, Yves Saint-Martin, and Freddy Head all having won the race.
The Legacy of the Arc
The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is a race with a long and illustrious history, and it has been won by some of the greatest horses of all time. While no horse has ever won the race three times, there have been several who have come close. From Ksar to Allez France and Treve, these horses have become synonymous with the race and have become part of its legacy.
Conclusion
The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is a race with a long and illustrious history, and it is one of the most sought-after wins in the world of thoroughbred racing. While no horse has ever won the race three times, there have been several who have come close. The closest any horse has come was in 1975, when the legendary French mare Allez France won the race for the second time, having also won it in 1973. Other horses who have come close include Ksar and Dahlia, while the great French mare Treve is the only horse to have won the Arc three times in the 21st century. The Arc has seen a number of legendary horses over the years, and its winners are often regarded as some of the greatest horses of their generation.