Unfancied French filly Solemia grabbed Japanese superstar Orfevre on the line to win a dramatic running of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Orfevre looked as though he had the race won when he stormed to the lead a furlong and a half out from the finish but began to idle after hanging right and was beaten by a neck by the unheralded Carlos Laffon-Parias-trained filly.
The result was devastating for on course punters (including a large Japanese contingent) who had heavily backed the Japanese Triple Crown winner into a commanding favourite.
Solemia started the race as 41/1 chance at 
Bet365 and was barely talked about in the lead up to the race but easily accounted for highly-rated Camelot, Great Heavens, Saonois and Shareta.
Laffon-Parias was surprised by the result but was delighted to have won his first ever Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
“I was looking through my binoculars and with 200 metres to run I thought we were going to be second,” Laffon-Parias said.
“I was happy to be second but when I saw Olivier (Peslier) change the whip I knew he thought he could win because he never gives a hard race to a horse.”
It was a terrific ride from veteran jockey Olivier Peslier who became the equal most successful jockey in Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe history by winning the race for the fourth time.
Orfevre’s trainer Yasutoshi Ikee was clearly devastated he couldn’t land Japan their first ever Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe crown but refused to blame jockey Christophe Soumillon.
“Christophe Soumillon rode a perfect race but it was unlucky because other horses slowed down so quickly so he passed them very quickly then he was a target for the winner,” Ikee said.
Classy three-year-old Camelot was disappointing and plugged on to finish seventh but, instead of being retired, will now race on as a four-year-old.
“I think it was the combination of a long season and the ground but we look forward to next year as I think the plan is to stay in training,” part-owner Derrick Smith said.
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