Bluestocking, the four-year-old filly, stormed to victory in Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, giving jockey Rossa Ryan and trainer Ralph Beckett their first wins in Europe’s most prestigious race. Supplemented for the Arc earlier in the week at a cost of €120,000, she more than justified the decision, delivering a stunning performance at Longchamp.

Ryan kept her perfectly placed throughout, tracking the pace set by Los Angeles, the Irish Derby winner. Positioned a few lengths back in prime position, Ryan made his move with a quarter-mile to run, sending Bluestocking forward as Aventure, second behind her in the Prix Vermeille, came through to challenge. But there was no catching Bluestocking. She galloped strongly to the line, with Los Angeles staying on for third.

For both Ryan and Beckett, this was the moment they had been waiting for, after coming second with Westover last year. Ryan was understandably emotional, telling Equidia after the race, “I know everyone overlooked her, but she’s been at the top table all year. She just proved she’s something else. I can’t believe it… this filly has done everything for my career.”

Beckett, still soaking in the win, couldn’t hide his disbelief. “Good horses train themselves,” he said. “I never thought she’d win, but she did.”

Barry Mahon, representing owners Juddmonte, was full of praise for both horse and trainer. “What a filly. The job Ralph’s done with her all year has been unreal. That’s Juddmonte’s seventh Arc winner – I think we’re now the winning-most owner of all time. It’s a special day.”

Bluestocking had the perfect run throughout, as Mahon explained. “Rossa said he’d keep her handy and at the top of the straight, I thought it’d take something special to beat her.”

For Ryan, this was a career-defining win. “A horse can change your life and she’s done that for me. She broke sharp, like she always does, and I was never in doubt she’d settle once she got a lead. I filled her up where I could and when we turned in with 600m to go, she came alive under me. It’s hard to stop a train when it gets going.”

Bluestocking’s win also marks the continued dominance of fillies and mares in the Arc – she’s the ninth female to win in the last 14 runnings.

While Aventure was closing in at the finish, Christophe Ferland, her trainer, was gracious in defeat. “She’s run the perfect race, and was exceptional. There’s some regret at being second, but it’s a beautiful second in the Arc. She fought hard, but Bluestocking is a special horse.”

Meanwhile, Los Angeles, who set a solid early pace, looks set for a future in Cup races, and Sosie, owned by the same connections as Aventure, did well to take fourth.

Bluestocking’s win was no surprise to those who backed her. As Ryan said, “It’s down to Ralph and the team at home – they’ve made my dreams come true. This is what it’s all about, winning on the biggest stage.”

Cover Photo Credit: Edward Whitaker