Racing

Treve claims stunning victory in Prix Vermeille at Longchamp

Double Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe heroine set fair for hat-trick next month

Treve, seen here winning the 2013 Prix Vermeille under Frankie Dettori, won this year’s running of the race at Longchamp under Thierry Jarnet. Photograph: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
Treve, seen here winning the 2013 Prix Vermeille under Frankie Dettori, won this year’s running of the race at Longchamp under Thierry Jarnet. Photograph: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
Sun Sept 13 2015 - 16:30

Treve ran out a brilliant winner of the Qatar Prix Vermeille at Longchamp. The dual Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe heroine was beaten in this race 12 months ago, but there was never going to be a repeat as the Criquette Head-Maarek-trained mare proved in a totally different league to her rivals.

Racing in mid-division before making significant ground to go third entering the false straight, the five-year-old raced widest of all turning for home and once Thierry Jarnet asked her to quicken with a quarter of a mile to run, she showed a dazzling change of gear.

Arabian Queen, the shock winner of the Juddmonte International, was keen early on and while racing prominently for some way she had no answer to the principals at the business end.

Harry Herbert, racing manager for owners Al Shaqab Racing, said: "It's amazing the way she looks, and how much bigger she is this year.

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“Then she puts in a special performance like that, when she was absolutely cantering over them.

“It’s unbelievable the way she travels.”

Head-Maarek said: “I really don’t know what to say, but I would like to thank my team, who have done such an amazing job with her.”

Coral cut Treve to 10-11 from 2-1 to claim an unprecedented third Arc on October 4th.

Spokesman Simon Clare said: "Treve's performance today was visually stunning and while she will have to contend with much better opposition in the Arc in three weeks' time it is hard to see what, other than an act of God, will stop her winning the race for a third time."

Head-Maarek went on: “When you have a horse of this calibre, naturally there is some pressure and a lot of emotions. But in the end it is a race, she was prepared for it and it’s her who has to run.

“Today she was exceptional. I have her back where she was at three, with the same will to win. This is her playground. She loves running right-handed. She comes into the false straight and then all she has to do is quicken.

“She is transformed, she has grown, she is a five-year-old and she has retained all her talent. In the false straight she came so easily. It reminded me of the Arc today. But the Arc is going to be a different game, it will be harder than today.

“You can’t say that she is sure to win (the Arc), because that doesn’t exist. You have to see the race, you have to see New Bay who ran a very good race today and you have to see all the foreign horses that come over.

“You cannot say she is a sure winner of the Arc, but she has a lot of things going for her. Today she ran exactly like she ran the Arc in 2013. I have never had a horse with that ability, who could quicken that way.

“She makes me look good. I’m pleased for everyone.”