'Extraordinary' Bluestocking justifies €120,000 supplement and late gamble to claim a memorable Arc success

A brilliant Bluestocking was hailed an "extraordinary beast" by her trainer Ralph Beckett after she landed the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe under a perfect ride from Rossa Ryan.

Bluestocking took up the lead from a prominent position with two furlongs to go and the Camelot filly battled bravely to hold off Aventure with Los Angeles back in third.

Bluestocking was supplemented for a fee of €120,000 this week and connections are rewarded with a first prize of more than £2.5 million.

Ryan celebrated his third Group 1 success by silencing the Longchamp crowd by putting his finger over his lips before pointing at the winning horse.

Rossa Ryan celebrates winning the Arc on BluestockingCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I can't really believe it, this filly has been something else in my career," he said. "I want to say a big thank you to everyone at Kimpton [Down Stables] for all their hard work as well as Barry [Mahon, Juddmonte manager] and his highness for trusting me. It's a big team effort and I couldn't be here without them."

Beckett came close to a first Arc winner when Westover finished second to Ace Impact in this race 12 months ago, and the victory is arguably the biggest in his near 25-year training career. 

He told ITV: "It's a tribute to her constitution more than anything else, it's extraordinary to have a horse to have danced all the dances since May and come back and do that. She is an extraordinary beast.

Ralph Beckett with Bluestocking and Rossa Ryan after the ArcCredit: Edward Whitaker

"The draw helped and it was a terrific ride from Rossa, everything went to plan and he was able to pull it off. What a day. This is our best ever day for sure."

Victory was a seventh in the race in the late Khalid Abdullah colours, coming six years on from Enable's memorable defence. 

Juddmonte's racing manager Barry Mahon said: "It's absolutely amazing, the job that Ralph has done with this filly has been unreal. The owners were pushing and pushing to supplement so it's unbelievable. It's been a brilliant day."

There was a sad postscript with Haya Zark being pulled up quickly and appearing to have suffered an injury mid-race.

Juddmonte's magnificent seven Arc winners

1985 Rainbow Quest
1986 Dancing Brave
2006 Rail Link
2010 Workforce
2017 Enable
2018 Enable
2024 Bluestocking

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2024 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe full result: where your horse finished for the Longchamp showpiece including each-way places 

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