JAPAN HOPING ARC DREAMS CAN FINALLY COME TRUE

History against Byzantine Dream, but dual G2 victor out to buck trend in French classic

- Michael Lee

A mildly surprising and unheralded win in the Prix Foy may have handed Japan an unexpected wildcard in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe but, to their fervent racing fans, the aptly named Byzantine Dream will once again let them dream about ending a 56-year-long wait.

The four-year-old entire by Epi-phaneia does not quite have the star power of previous unsuccessful Japanese raiders like Deep Impact (third in 2016 but subsequently disqualified), or unlucky runner-ups El Condor Pasa (1999) and Or-fevre (2012 and 2013) - among some of the better losers in 22 attempts since 1969.

But, for a relatively lightly raced veteran of only nine starts, he already packs two international wins on his resume.

Before his come-from-behind victory defeating one of Arc’s home favourites Sosie in the Group 2 Prix Foy (2,400m) at ParisLong-champ on Sept 7, he had already annexed the Group 2 Red Sea Turf Handicap (3,000m) on Saudi Cup day in Riyadh on Feb 22.

After Oisin Murphy stepped into the irons for the first time in Saudi Arabia, his connections unsurprisingly gave the four-time English champion jockey the leg-up again at his European debut in the Prix Foy.