view raw text
France UArc de Triomphe Truly International By GODOLPHIN DARLEY Paris Correspondent, Daily Racing Form PARIS, Prance. — Special attention is called by this writer to the Prix de LArc de Triomphe at Longchamp at one mile and a half on October 9. This is the greatest of all events in Europe, as well as the biggest added - money feature with a net value to the winner of about 5,-000. The "Arc" is open to three-year-olds and upward at weight-forage, with a sex allowance of three pounds. American owners and trainers may note that nominations are accepted in New York by The Jockey Club, 250 Park Avenue, until June 28 and will be forwarded. The first; payment is only 5 if the horse is scratched before September 15 in Paris. Bringing: together in the fall the leading three-year-olds and older horses from every country in Europe, the Arc is the most decisive international event. Since its foundation in 1919, it has been won, besides French-breds, by champions from England, Germany and Italy. Foreign horses over for the Arc are allowed to train on the course at Long-champ. They may be quartered at the track or at either training center near Paris. Founded in 1843, the Prix de Diane for three - year - old fillies at level weights is considered the French equivalent to the Oaks Stakes at Epsom. With 5,750 added, it drew 411 fillies in November, 1953, as yearlings. Finally 17 went to the start last Sunday, and the value to the winner -was 6,063. Traditionally staged at Chantilly, the Prix de Diane is at one mile and five sixteenths, whereas the Epsom Oaks is at a mile and a half. The favorite was Mademoiselle C. Kruers Myriade, by Meridiem TJnfashionably bred, Myriade worked herself up from claiming races at the start of her career at 2. This season she has proven to be a most consistent top filly, winning fillies stakes, Prix de Grotte at Longchamp and Prix Chole at Le Trem-blay, both at one mile. Myriade was a rather unfortunate second in the-Poule dEssai des Pouliches or French One Thousand Guineas and the extra distance in the Diane was expected to favor her chances. Close second favorite was Jean Sterns Senones, by Prince Bio, and his Alzire, by Nosca. Senones, not raced at two, won her only two starts this season at Saint Cloud, including the Prix Penelope, at one mile and five-sixteenths. Next in the betting was Guy de Rothschilds Dictaway by Honeyway. One of the fastest of the crop at 2, Dicatway won her only start at 3, the Ppule dEssai des Pouliches at one. mile. Doubt remained whether Dictaway would stay the Diane distance since her English sire Honeyway, by Fairway, was typically a sprinter. Other well fancied fillies were Comte de Tarragons Fitzroy, by Tornado, un-winner of her last two starts; Vicomte de Tarragons Fitzroy by Tournado, unbeaten in her two starts at 2; Jean-Cornets La Feria by Escamillo, recently third in the French One Thousand Guineas, and George Wildensteins Double Luck by Persian Gulf, winner of her previous start. Next came Madame L. Volterras Cassilda by Clarion, Pierre Wertheimers Valle du Gave by Micipsa and R. B. Strassburgers Media by- Owen Tudor. Extreme outsiders were R. Barils Cur-itiba by Sir Fellah, M. Goudchauxs Douve by Vandale, R. Mathe-Dumaines Vientiane by Elseneur, Madame Del Ducas Tertulia by Delirium, Madame R. Forgets Nahide, by Vic Day and George Philidors Fyrouza by Patchouly. Owing to the long cold spring and generally hard going which prevailed, the majority of the fillies were sparingly raced and a true line on their chances was lacking. The course itself, with its stiff climb into and around the last turn is reckoned to be tough. Chantilly is also a fast course and any Prix de Diane renewal requires both class and stamina. At the start Alizire went to the front followed by Vientiane Picounda, Fitzroy, Curitiba, Dictaway, La Feria and Cassilda. Myriade was in the rear; with Valle du Gave and Double Luck. The order-hardly varied until coming up the hill where Alzire was in front of Picounda, Fitzroy, Vienti- ane, Senones, La Feria, Dictaway and the others near. Coming into the stretch, Senones was slightly ahead of Vientiane, Curitiba and Douve, the latter gaining ground very fast on the outside with a clear-cut run. Soon Douve was in front of Picounda and the two reached the wire separated by three-quarters of a length. Two and one-half lengths behind and finishing strong Myriade, Media and Double Luck were almost in line. The time was 2.13%. Douve was bred by her owner, is trained by John Cunnington at Chantilly and was cleverly ridden by young Jean Deforge. She is by Vandale, 1943, by Plassy, .and is the third foal of 1944 dam Douce "France, by Rodosto out of Because, by Palais Royal. Douce France won twice at two, also at three at one mile and one mile and a sixteenth and once at four at the latter distance. Her first foal Valois, a colt by Vandale, did not race and her second foal Tourraine, a filly by Cranach, won twice at three., On the same card a minor filly stake, Prix de Royaumont, one mile, and five sixteenths, was won by All Risk, by Wild Risk — La Mecque. She was also ridden by De-forge. Coming 20 years old, Deforge has won two out of the four top classics decided so far in France this season. John D. Schapiro, president of Laurel, and his wife were present at the Prix de Diane. They were" the guests of the president and stewards of the Societe dEncour-agement and a toast with champagne was proposed to the friendship between France and the United States. Schapiro has accomplished much in promoting international racing and the French stewards questioned him on how to insure American Continued on Page Fifty-Eight Report* From France By GODOLPHIN DARLEY Continued from Page Twelve horses in the top French events. Several suggestions made in French by the president of Laurel are being considered by the French racing authorities. Schapiro strongly emphasized the part played by J. Samuel Perlman and The Morning Telegraph and Daily Racing Form in their support of international racing.
