Fantastic Moon moves back into Arc equation

Molly Hunter
September 25, 2023 4:19 pm

Prix Niel winner could yet be supplemented for ParisLongchamp highlight.

A favourable weather forecast has prompted connections of Fantastic Moon to reconsider supplementing the German Derby winner for Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp.

Despite winning a recognised Arc trial over the course and distance in the Prix Niel, the Sea The Moon colt looked set to sidestep Europe’s premier middle-distance contest in favour of either a trip to the Breeders’ Cup or a tilt at the Japan Cup.

However, with little or no rain forecast in Paris in the run-up to Sunday’s showpiece, his team are now giving serious thought to adding him to the field on Wednesday at a cost of EURO 120,000.

Lars-Wilhelm Baumgarten of owners Liberty Racing said: “We discussed it yesterday, because the weather forecast is dry and the sun in shining in Paris, perhaps we will get good ground.

💛💙Update Fantastic Moon: He came out of the Prix Niel on top – weatherforecast sounds tempting – the ground might be good in the Arc – analyzing closely trips to the USA and Japan and look at the Prix de L’Arc. Sarah Steinberg and Liberty Racing will decide as late as possible pic.twitter.com/BvwcRgukJX
— Lars-W. Baumgarten (@Monsun2013) September 25, 2023

“We will decide as late as possible because every day is important for us. How the horse is, how is he looking and working.

“We have a few opportunities too with the Breeders’ Cup and the Japan Cup and now we have the option of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe again.

“We will see – our vet will check him, he will gallop in Munich and then we will see what’s going on and what the weather forecast will be in Paris.

“We decided two weeks ago that we would not run but the situation is new, the ground is better than we expected and the horse is better than we expected 14 days after the Prix Niel.

“It’s new information and a lot of horses are out of the race, so we will see.”