The connections of the British 3-year-old colt Alenquer have been toying with the idea of a crack at the Group 1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe since the spring. Armando Duarte, the racing manager of the colt’s owners, MM Stables, has subsequently confirmed, via the Racing Post, that the colt will line-up at ParisLongchamp on Sunday, Oct. 3.
He said: “The owners, Mubarak Alarou and Mussad Almutari, are keen to have a crack at the Arc as Alenquer is a mile-and-a-half horse, and he will handle any eventual cut in the ground. He’s been in good shape since York. Obviously, it’s a tough assignment but we’re hopeful that he’ll run a nice race.”
Alenquer is a colt with an international dimension. As his owners hail from Kuwait and he is trained in Britain, or Newmarket to be precise, by William Haggas. Furthermore, his breeders, the Gestüt Romerhof, are German. He was born and reared in France, and notably in Normandy, as he bears the hallmark of the La Motteraye Consignment.
Alenquer is unraced since his second place in the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes at York on Aug. 18, when he finished six lengths adrift of Mishriff. The latter is a possible Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe contender. He had previously finished third in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris over 12 furlongs at ParisLongchamp, won by one of the leading fancies for this year’s Arc, Hurricane Lane.
Another formline also ties Alenquer in with another leading Arc fancy: as he beat Adayar in the Group 3 Classic Trial at Sandown in April. Adayar has since franked the form by winning both the Epsom Derby and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (both G1s). The latter race also rejoices in the reputation of being the British equivalent of the Arc.
Alenquer is quoted at odds varying from 25-1 to 40-1 by the bookmakers for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
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