'We were all soaked to the marrow, the plane didn't work, but who cares!'

Sir Mark Prescott on Monday reflected on the "humbling" reaction to Alpinista's victory in Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, as a potentially lucrative trip to Japan emerged as the likeliest swansong for the heroine of Longchamp.

Newmarket's great and good were up bright and early to offer their congratulations for the mare's success in Europe's premier Flat race. It was back to business as usual for the master of Heath House as he worked his string on Warren Hill, where James Fanshawe, Charlie Fellowes, James Ferguson and Roger Varian’s assistant Kate Grimwade were the first of many to offer handshakes and congratulations.

There were even more hands to shake at the Tattersalls sales ring later on where Prescott was inspecting yearlings before the start of the October Sale on Tuesday.