Horses of the world

Dalakhani has proved that he is a real Champion after his thrilling finish in the 82nd running of the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp. Drawn in stall 14, his task was not meant to be easy but the French Derby winner, ridden in impressive style by a young and motivated Soumillon, resisted a courageous attack from Mubtaker to score in Europe’s biggest Championship race. High Chaparral, which carried high hopes, finished third for the second consecutive year. 22-year old Soumillon could hardly contain his emotions after this performance. He said, “It’s a race I wanted to win throughout my apprenticeship and its unbelievable to ride a horse like him. He is a real champion and I love him so much.” Following at the back of the field, he left Diyapour set the pace as predicted. Soumillon never pressured him. The Aga Khan-owned Dalakhani showed his class as he poured on the pace, despite the soft ground, and claimed victory by three quarters of a length. Mubtaker, ridden by an inspired Richard Hills, who surged in the lead first upon turning home, could not resist Dalakhani’s assault and finished a remarkable second. Marcus Tregoning promised to be back next year. The Aga Khan won his third Arc. Frankie Dettori who was bidding for a third consecutive success in the Arc finished a disappointing fourth on Doyen. Kris Kin was never a threat in the race and finished way back in the field.

1.	DALAKHANI	M3	56	C.Soumillon	S.A. AGA KHAN	A. de Royer Dupré
2.	MUBTAKER	M6	59,5	R.J. Hills	H. AL-MAKTOUM	M.P. Tregoning
3.	HIGH CHAPARRAL	M4	59,5	M.J. Kinane	M.TABOR-Mme Mag.	A.P. O'Brien
4.	DOYEN	M3	56	L.Dettori	CHEIKH AL-MAKTOUM	A.Fabre
5.	VINNIE ROE	M5	59,5	P.J.Smullen	S.SHERIDAN + M.WATT	D.K.Weld
6.	BLACK SAM BELLAMY	M4	59,5	J-P.Spencer	M.TABOR- Mme Magnier	A-P.O'Brien
7.	DAI JIN	M3	56	O.Peslier	WH. SPORT INT'NAL	A.Schütz
8.	BOLLIN ERIC	M4	59,5	K.Darley	Sir N. WESTBROOK	T.D.Easterby
9.	ANGE GABRIEL	M5	59,5	T.Jarnet	Mme H.DEVIN	E.Libaud
10.	POLICY MAKER	M3	56	D.Boeuf	Ecurie WILDENSTEIN	E.Lellouche
11.	KRIS KIN	M3	56	K.Fallon	S. SUHAIL	M.R.Stoute
12.	FIRST CHARTER	M4	59,5	B.Doyle	S. SUHAIL	M.R.Stoute
13.	DIYAPOUR	M3	56	T.Gillet	S.A. AGA KHAN	A. de Royer Dupré
Chrono: 2'32"30 (1'3"46/100); distances: 3/4, 5, 1 1/2, 1 1/2, 1 1/2, encol., 3, 3; -13 partants.

After AKIYDA in 1982 and SINNDAR in 2000, the champion DALAKHANI (Darshaan- Daltawa- Miswaki) gave a third Arc de Triomphe'prize to the colours and breeding of Prince Karim Aga Khan. After Criterium International in 2002 and the Lupin and Jockey-Club prizes last spring it is the fourth group I victory for the training stable of Alain de Royer Dupré, which wins his first Arc' at the same time as the jockey Christophe Soumillon.
In fact, in nine outings up to today, DALAKHANI has only met defeat once against his companion under the same colours, ALAMSHAR, in the Irish Derby. While the latter has just been sold and will officiate as stallion in 2004, it is to be hoped that DALAKHANI will be kept in training and will attempt in the 2000 Arc' a double that non thoroughbred has achieved since ALLEGED in 1977 and 1978.

Dalakhani	Darshaan	Shirley Heights	Mill Reef	Never Bend
				Milan Mill
			Hardiemma	Hardicanute
				Grand Cross
		Delsy	Abdos	Arbar
				Pretty Lady
			Kelty	Venture VII
				Marilla
	Daltawa	Miswaki	Mr Prospector	Raise a Native
				Gold Digger
			Hopespringseternal	Buckpasser
				Rose Bower
		Damana	Crystal Palace	Caro
				Hermieres
			Denia	Crepello
				Rose Ness



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