Soumillon: I still have trouble understanding how Orfevre did not win the Arc

Seven years have passed since Orfevre's famous defeat in the 2012 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and his jockey Christophe Soumillon says he is still unable to understand how he didn't win.

Orfevre stormed to the lead in the closing stages only to half pull himself up, bump the rail and hand the advantage to Solemia and a jubilant Olivier Peslier in the final strides.

Soumillon is now hoping to right that wrong and give Japan an elusive first Arc win as he prepares to ride Kiseki on Sunday.

"I am very proud to be once again riding a Japanese horse," said Soumillon, who again partnered Orfevre in 2013 Arc when second to Treve and steered Epiphaneia to success in the 2014 Japan Cup for Kiseki's trainer Katsuhiko Sumii.

"When Orfevre hit the front I was almost certain we would be the first Arc winners for Japan and I still have trouble understanding why it didn't happen.

"Japan has never been more certain to win the Arc 100 metres before the line and the reasons why we were beaten are very hard to understand.

"I don't know whether it will be this year but I'm convinced one day Japan will win the Arc and I hope I can be the first jockey to achieve that for them.

"I never thought Solemia was capable of beating Orfevre before the race, but she did and we will give everything to try to win this time."

Christophe Soumillon (red jacket) was in relaxed mood on Wednesday morning after riding Kiseki in a final pre-Arc de Triomphe workout in ChantillyCredit: Racing Post / Scott Burton

Soumillon will ride on a short-term licence in Japan this winter and is set to partner the Sumii-trained Saturnalia in a Tenno Sho clash with Almond Eye.

Soumillon added: "I will do everything I can to win but it is very difficult to imagine beating Enable who for me has everything going for her in her bid for history."

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