Hiruno D'Amour can become the first Japanese horse to win Europe's most prestigious horse race the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe here at Longchamp Sunday. In doing so he would fulfill a dream that has taken 32 years to accomplish, and succeed where 10 previous challengers have failed, though two El Condor Pasa in 1999 and Nakayama Festa in 2010 finished second. The four-year-old colt will face 15 rivals including the first three home last year, Workforce, Nakayama Festa and the unlucky Sarafina and also former Australian champion So You Think, now trained by Irishman Aidan O'Brien. While he was not dealt a kind hand in being drawn in stall one – only two Arc winners have been drawn there – it has been balanced with Sarafina, Nakayama Festa and So You Think getting awkward wide draws. Workforce, who is bidding to become the first horse since Alleged in 1977/78 to win successive Arcs, was given the go ahead to run by trainer Sir Michael Stoute despite worries over the ground. That delighted three-time British champion jockey Ryan Moore, who has made a quicker than expected return to the saddle after breaking his arm in late July. There are no such worries about the fast going for Hiruno D'Amour's connections. “In Japan, the tracks are fast,” said trainer Mitsugu Kon. “So yes, I am delighted that the sun is out.” His confidence has been bolstered by the improvement Hiruno D'Amour has shown this year finally securing his maiden win on April 3 and followed up by a Group One win on May 1. A strong second behind Sarafina in the Arc trial, the Prix Foy on Sept. 11, provoked Kon to make a bold prediction that they would turn the tables in the Arc. His boast took on a more realistic hue after a workout on the Chantilly gallops last week drew gasps of admiration from many including de Royer Dupre. Despite some concern over the going, de Royer Dupre is enthusiastic about Sarafina's chances. “She has the temperament and the acceleration,” the 67-year-old said. O'Brien has only won the Arc once – with Dylan Thomas in 2007 – but he can entertain high hopes of doubling that total with So You Think. Others who appeal are Galikova, half-sister to the remarkable miler Goldikova, trained by Freddie Head and the English St Leger winner Masked Marvel, whose trainer John Gosden like Head and Dunlop has yet to win the Arc.
