Soumillon counting down the hours to Tarnawa

Ashley Iveson
September 26, 2021 9:15 am

Brilliant Belgian cannot wait to renew partnership with Arc favourite.

Christophe Soumillon is eager to renew his partnership with Tarnawa in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

The brilliant Belgian teamed up with the Dermot Weld-trained mare to win both the Prix Vermeille and Prix de l’Opera last term and was due to be aboard Tarnawa at the Breeders’ Cup before a failed Covid-19 test scuppered his participation.

Colin Keane stepped in for Soumillon at Keeneland and steered Taranawa to a length victory, staying in the saddle for her two runs so far this year.

Worth the wait! 🤩
271 days off track but Dermot Weld’s superstar mare Tarnawa makes light work of her opposition as she eases clear in the G3 Grant Thornton Ballyroan Stakes. 🏆
Who else is excited to see what she can do this season? pic.twitter.com/YgXVcIPIn0

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 5, 2021

The five-year-old won the Ballyroan Stakes on her reappearance, and lost little in defeat to St Mark’s Basilica in an epic Irish Champion Stakes, beaten three-quarters of a length after the pair came close in the finish.

Soumillon – in Group One-winning form on Saturday with Perfect Power – will be on the daughter of Shamardal at ParisLongchamp, as he is the retained rider in France for owner the Aga Khan. And he can hardly wait.

He said: “Tarnawa is a great filly. I was very lucky to ride her twice last year in Longchamp and won on her twice.

“I was really pleased with her first run this season and last time she ran really great. Unfortunately, she got beat probably by the distance (10 furlongs) and the winner hung a bit towards her.

“A real jewel” – 11 years ago champion filly Zarkava produced this scintillating performance in the Arc to make it seven from seven and retire unbeaten… pic.twitter.com/pPviyyhgtg
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 4, 2019

“Dermot Weld is probably one of the greatest trainers in the world and I’m sure he focussed on that race (the Arc) 200 per cent.

“For the Aga Khan team and His Highness himself, I’d be delighted to bring back another Arc trophy.”

Soumillon won the Arc for the Aga Khan with both Dalakhani (2003) and the magnificent filly Zarkarva (2008), and Tarnawa is the 5-2 favourite to make it a hat-trick for the team.