Snowfall Tops Boards For Arc

The Gr1 Yorkshire Oaks demolition by Snowfall (Deep Impact-Best in the World, by Galileo) on Thursday has seen her move into 5-2 favouritism for the Gr1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

So reports the irishtimes.com.

“She’s very relaxed and quickens very well, and it doesn’t matter with ground with her,” said trainer Aidan O’Brien.

Snowfall saunters to victory on Thursday (Pic – British Champion Series)

“I was a little bit taken aback by her in the parade ring, how well she had done. She looked like a filly that was going to come on for the run, physically, so that’s a good sign when that starts happening at this time of the year. She’s obviously changing from a being a baby 3YO into a mature 3YO. It’s a lovely way to have her. If she’s going to the Arc, she’d run around the time of [Irish] Champions Weekend either at Leopardstown or Longchamp.”

O’Brien really looks to have racing’s next superstar in his ranks – as we saw when Snowfall made light work of the Darley Yorkshire Oaks.

Having demolished her rivals in both the Cazoo Oaks and the Irish Oaks, O’Brien’s filly was sent out a heavy favourite for Thursday’s feature . And she certainly did not disappoint.

Ryan Moore kept Snowfall at the back, ridden quietly throughout the race. Stable companion La Joconde ensuring there was a good gallop throughout the race under Hollie Doyle. Turning the corner the runners came back to stands, and push came to shove on La Joconde, with Wonderful Tonight beginning to make her move.

Gasps from the York crowd rang out, as Snowfall, with consumate ease breezed her way through the field. In a matter of moments she was upside and past Wonderful Tonight – seemingly in third gear.

Ryan Moore then nudged her to press on and put the race to bed before easing her way to the line with all the dangers long behind her.

Watch the replay here:

It was a special performance from a filly who looks set to go on to big things.

Japanese-born Snowfall has now won five of her 11 starts, including three Gr1’s in succession. Her dam, Best in the World, is a Gr3-winning full-sister to Champion 2YO and 3YO Filly Found (Galileo-Red Evie, by Intikhab) who won the Gr1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Turf, and the Gr1 Prix Marcel Boussac.

Two other full siblings to Found are also group winners, and Found is the dam of Group 2 winner and Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile-placed Battleground (War Front).

The €5 000 000 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe will be run at Longchamp on Sunday 3 October.

Recent past winners: