Bluestocking waved the flag for ‘girl power’ when storming home to win the 2024 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp – but what is next for the 4 year-old Ralph Beckett-trained mare and will she be back to defend her crown in 2025.
Bluestocking Became The Tenth Filly To Win The Arc Since 2002
Trainer Ralph Beckett went close to winning the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 2023 when his Westover was second, but running in the same Juddmonte colours the Newmarket-based handler went one better when Bluestocking landed the richest flat race in Europe at Longchamp on Sunday 6th October.
Under the guidance of jockey Rossa Ryan, Bluestocking was always handy in the race and turning for home managed to kick clear of the field, which was led by Aventure and the Aidan O’Brien-trained Los Angeles, who ended up filling the places.
Bluestocking, who came from draw 3, also upheld the key Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe trends that have now seen 18 of the last 23 winners hail from stalls 8 or lower.
While she also rewarded backers who had supported her in from 12/1 to 11/2 with the best horse racing betting sites in the UK before the race.
She become the tenth filly to win the Arc since 2002 – and followed in the footprints of another Juddmonte-owned superstar filly – Enable, who won the race in 2017 and 2018.
Other fillies to win the Arc in recent times were Found in 2016, Treve in 2013 and 2014 and Alpinista in 2022.
Bluestocking Entries: What’s Next For The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Winner?
At this stage the only Bluestocking entry the horse has is in the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday 19th October – a race she was a neck runner-up in 12 months ago (watch below).
However, she’s not a certain starter in that contest and having had some tough races in winning both the Prix Vermeille and, of course, the Arc, connections may just put her away for the horse racing flat season now.
The good news for Bluestocking’s owners though is that they also have another live chance in the Fillies & Mares Stakes at Newmarket – with their exciting Kalpana, who impressed in winning the September Stakes at Kempton by just under 5 lengths last time out.
Bluestocking Career In Numbers
- Career Runs: 13
- Wins: 5
- Top 3 Finishes: 11
- Top 4 Finishes: 13
- Group One Wins: 3
- Career Earnings: £3,640,645
Bluestocking 2024 Arc Supplement Gamble Yielded Over €2.7m Profit
Having been supplemented for €120,000 the week leading up to the 2024 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Bluestocking’s connections knew a top five finish or better would see them land a profit.
However, with the Arc being the richest flat horse race in Europe with a €5m purse that gives €2,857,000 to the winner.
This meant Juddmonte’s supplement gamble yielded a profit of €2,737,000.
2024 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Prize Money
- 1st – €2,857,000
- 2nd – €1,143,000
- 3rd – €571,500
- 4th – €285,500
- 5th – €143,000
Bluestocking Gave Juddmonte Their Seventh Arc Winner
- 2024 Bluestocking
- 2018 Enable
- 2017 Enable
- 2010 Workforce
- 2006 Rail Link
- 1986 Dancing Brave
- 1985 Rainbow Quest
Will Bluestocking Run In The 2025 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe?
Ralph Beckett’s 2024 Arc winner Bluestocking took the race as a 4 year-old, so there is every chance she’ll be back to defend her Longchamp crown in 2025.
The Arc has produced two 5 year-old winners since 2019 – Waldgeist and Alpinista. However it’s also worth noting these are the only two 5 year-olds to win since 2003.
At this stage the best betting sites in the UK are making her 16/1 for a repeat win as she looks to join another Juddmonte-owned mare – Enable – and win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in back-to-back seasons.
Prior to Enable, the other most recent repeat Arc winner was Treve in 2013 and 2014. Oh and she was also a mare.
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Result 2024
- 1st – Bluestocking (11/2)
- 2nd – Aventure (89/10)
- 3rd – Los Angeles (71/10)
- 4th – Sosie (39/10 fav)