3 minute read
Sottsass will play a major role in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
The 2019 Prix du Jockey Club winner Sottsass may have had his reputation dented by a defeat in the G1 Irish Champion Stakes (2000m) at Leopardstown but the four-year-old remains a live contender for the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (2400m).
A son of leading French sire Siyouni, Sottsass is a half-brother to Sistercharlie who was transferred to America following a second in the 2017 G1 Prix de Diane (2100m) and has subsequently won seven Grade Ones including the G1 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (2200m). The success of the family led to Sottsass' half-sister (by Dubawi) selling for two point five million euros at this year's Deauville Select Sale.
Sottsass was only raced twice as a juvenile and broke his maiden in a Clairefontaine maiden in October 2018. The colt improved considerably from two to three-years-old and recorded a first success of 2019 in the Classic campaign when scoring in the Listed Prix de Suresnes at Chantilly (2000m) before beating hot favourite Persian King in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club (2100m). A win in the G2 Prix Niel (2400m) confirmed the colt's spot in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (2400m) running credibly to place third.
2020 has been mixed for Sottsass. Starting a short-priced favourite in the G2 Prix d'Harcourt (2000m) at Longchamp, he finished fourth behind Shaman. A return to his favoured Chantilly sparked an improved performance where the colt reversed form to win the G1 Prix Ganay (2100m). He was unable to justify favouritism again when beaten a neck in the G3 Hong Kong Jockey Cup (2000m) at Deauville and struggled subsequently behind Magical in the G1 Irish Champion Stakes (2000m) at Leopardstown (Ireland).
Despite a lack of consistent performances in 2020, Sottsass has an excellent record over the course and distance of the 'Arc'. His only two attempts at 2400m have resulted in a G2 success and a placing in the 'Arc' itself and it would be no surprise to see the Jean-Claude Rouget trained colt play a major role in the closing stages.
| Number Of Runs | Win Strike Rate | Place Strike Rate | |
| Black Type Races | 9 | 4 = 44% | 2 = 22% |
| Longchamp | 4 | 1 = 25% | 1 = 25% |
| Righthanded | 10 | 5 = 50% | 2 = 20% |
| Distance | 2 | 1 = 50% | 1 = 50% |
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