So You Think (NZ) Brave in Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe

One of the world's most prestigious races, the �4 million Group 1 Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe (2400m), saw the New Zealand bred champion So You Think produce a valiant performance to run fourth in Paris this morning.

Trained by Aidan O'Brien, So You Think (NZ) (High Chaparral x Triassic) gave the race his every effort but was a victim of a wide draw. Despite jumping well from his gate of 14, his jockey Seamie Heffernan elected to ease back, rather than be caught wide in running, and when the field settled he had just two of his 15 rivals behind him.

His stable mate, the Secretariat Stakes winner Treasure Beach (Galileo), went straight to the front in the Arc and set a break-neck pace in the feature, and at the 600 metres fellow Coolmore runner, the Coronation Cup winner St Nicholas Abbey (Montjeu), took the lead.

Straightening for home, So You Think was desperate for room, and when it came he was set alight by Heffernan, with the pair making up many lengths. But with 200 metres to travel, the race was all but wrapped up with the German bred filly Danedream (Lomitas) producing a brilliant finish to win the Arc by an astonishing five lengths.

So You Think was one of the only runners to make ground from the back, and when considering that the race was won in a race record time of 2:24.49 for the 2400 metres, it was a massive effort given the tempo of the race. The official placings, Danedream first, Shareta second, Snowfairy third and So You Think fourth.

So You Think (NZ)

A �9,000 yearling, Danedream is the first winner of the Arc from Germany since Star Appeal in 1975 and is the 15th three-year-old to win the Arc in the last 18 years.

"We had a bad draw for post position," said Aidan O'Brien afterwards. "He did a good job though for his first 2400-metre race. He was relaxed on the track, which is very important. We will soon be making a decision about his future."

Coolmore Stud spokesman Tom Magnier was likewise philosophical but far from disappointed with So You Think's effort. "Obviously the wide draw was something to be worried about and as it ended up he had quite a bit to do after getting back in the field.

"We would have loved to have won the Arc with him but he's still run very well and he lives to fight another day. Depending on how he comes through the race he might yet run in the Champion Stakes at Ascot.

"If he had a decent draw and the breaks had gone his way it's fair to say he would have finished close, but in saying that you have to give credit to the winner."

The Champion Stakes at Ascot will be held on 15 October, and if So You Think were to make an appearance, he will face the likes of Nathaniel who beat Workforce in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, two time Champion Stakes winner Twice Over, the French trained Cirrus Des Aigles, and the tough mare Midday who ran a close second to Twice Over in the Group 1 International Stakes in August.

The team also indicated that the Breeders Cup in America on dirt could also be a possibility for So You Think.

"He's a big cruiser and I think he would handle the dirt no problem," said O'Brien, "but the boys will have to discuss it before we decide what to do next."

Bred in New Zealand, So You Think was purchased by prominent Australian bloodstock agent Duncan Ramage from Windsor Park Stud at the 2008 Karaka Premier Sale for NZ$110,000. His remarkable career has now seen him win over NZ$9 million in stakes.