Peslier engineers Japanese heartbreak in Arc

Olivier Peslier ended a 14-year wait for a fourth Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in very unlikely fashion as the unfancied filly Solemia induced more Japanese heartbreak at Longchamp yesterday.

The French jockey dominated the European finale for three consecutive occasions in the late 90s and his enduring prowess around the famous Parisian course means he joins only Jacques Doyasbère, Freddy Head, Yves Saint-Martin and Pat Eddery as a quadruple winner.

Christophe Soumillon must have felt the Arc would be his for a third time when launching Orfevre into a commanding lead approaching the final furlong, only to find Peslier galvanising the Carlos Laffon-Parias-trained 33-1 shot Solemia on his outside and snatching victory away on the line.