Terrific Treve lights up Arc

What had been billed as the most fascinating and complex Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in some years was simply reduced to a one-horse show as Treve offered up a quite astonishing performance in Paris yesterday.

Fillies have taken France’s signature race on many occasions – including the last two in Solemia and Danedream and stylishly by Zarkava in 2008 – but rarely do they assert such superiority over the colts as Criquette Head-Maarek’s marvel did by obliterating Orfevre by five lengths.

All those at Longchamp on this international afternoon could only stop and admire Treve – she was even applauded sportingly by the thousands of Japanese visitors who had to settle for second best yet again – and perhaps the only person who will have been truly distressed is Frankie Dettori, who had to give the winning mount to Thierry Jarnet after breaking his ankle on Wednesday.