BLUESTOCKING landed a colossal gamble to win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – after tragedy struck mid-race.
It’s Rossa Ryan’s biggest win as a jockey and Ralph Beckett’s biggest as a trainer, with the £2.5million winner’s cheque heading their way.
Rossa Ryan celebrates winning the Arc on superstar filly Bluestocking for British trainer Ralph Beckett[/caption]That made the £100,000 supplementary fee owners Juddmonte paid to put her in Europe’s richest contest worth every penny.
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But there was tragedy mid-race as outsider Haya Zark appeared to suffer an awful injury.
William Buick was riding the five-year-old, who looked to suffer a terrible leg injury.
Sadly as he ran off a true line he looked to collide with Continuous, ruining his chance as he tailed home in last.
Winning handler Beckett said: “It’s extraordinary to have a horse, starting in May, to dance all those dances, get beat, then come here and do that just three weeks after her last win.
“She is an extraordinary beast.
“The draw helped. Rossa got her in the right place and everything went to plan. What a day!
“This is our best every day, it has to be. This is my best ever day.”
It was sweet revenge for Andover-based Beckett, whose Westover finished second in the Arc last year.
Bluestocking was available at 11-1 overnight but punted off the boards before the off, winning at 5-1.
Irish rider Ryan said: “It’s the stuff of dreams, honest to God.
“For those who had the faith in me to get the job done… I’m speechless. To have my family here makes it even more incredible.
“A horse can change your life – and she has mine.”
Aventure finished second at 17-2 while Aidan O’Brien’s Los Angeles was third at 6-1.
Favourite Sosie finished fourth at 4-1 to give some each way value to punters who took the four places.
You can see the full result here.
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