Workforce Set to Bid For Second Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe

Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to prince Khaled Abdullah, owner of last year's Epsom Derby and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Workforce, has made it clear that their star racehorse will definitely be trained with a repeat bid for the Paris event at the top of the agenda, writes Elliot Slater.

Last seen in action at Sandown at the end of June when he ran a tremendous race to be a half-length runner-up to the mighty Aussie star So You Think in a vintage renewal of the Group 1 Coral Eclipse Stakes, most observers felt that the Sir Michael Stoute-trained four-year-old came out of the race with plenty of credit running over a trip that was two furlongs short of his optimum mile-and-a-half distance. Those following the Arc de Triomphe odds will be wondering if he can make it two in a row.

Ridden positively by former champion jockey Ryan Moore, Workforce took up the running before the home turn and made a long run for glory which with just over a furlong to run looked as though it might bring about the defeat of Aidan O'Brien's imposing horse. But in the end the superior speed of So You Think gained the day as he edged home in a race that will live long in the memory.

Grimthorpe suggested that Workforce is by no means a certain starter in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot later this month (a race in which he ran poorly last year when well beaten behind the hugely impressive Harbinger), and that there is a possibility he might have a mid-season break before re-appearing in September to run in one of the key trial races for the 'Arc' the following month.

Workforce is currently a 3/1 third favourite for the Ascot mid-summer showpiece, whilst he is a best priced 9/2 shot to follow up his brilliant win in the Arc last year with another winning performance at the Parisian track in October.