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Freshened-up Afrique ready to pick up where he left off
The Straits Times
|October 05, 2025
Four-time Oaks winner can end Irish trainer O'Brien's nine-year drought in French classic
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1 GIAVELOTTO His 2024 Group 1 Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) victory at Sha Tin (a target again in 2025) proved yet again that he was super effective over this trip as well as further. Prepped for this with a Group 3 Kempton victory. Slow ground not wanted.
2 WHITE BIRCH His sky-high reputation from 2024 - including a Group 1 Curragh win - has lost its sheen this season though he has still run to a high level in all three starts. May be best over shorter.
3 ARROW EAGLE In great form earlier in 2025, climaxing with a 2,400m Group 2 Chantilly defeat of a subsequent Group 1 winner. But little impact in an Arc trial in September. Looks vulnerable.
4 SOSIE Although he could not justify favouritism when fourth in the 2024 Arc, he has an excellent Paris Longchamp record with five wins including three Group 1s, one of those over this distance also. Expected to be sharper after his close second in a trial here in September.
5 LOS ANGELES A three-time Group 1 winner during an illustrious career. One or two others look preferred but a good run in a race that he was a terrific third in last year cannot be ruled out.
This story is from the October 05, 2025 edition of The Straits Times.
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