Dermot Weld: 'I'm probably more focused than ever. I enjoy winning, I really do'

The conversation had meandered its way down the Seine towards Longchamp when Dermot Weld paused for a split-second, juggled the words around in his head, and then delivered them in the exact order and precise manner he wanted. "It's going to be a spectacular race, quite possibly the race of the decade, and I'm just happy to have a horse good enough to compete in it."

Weld has been waiting for this moment all his life. As we drool over a delicious Arc, one which could include the record-breaking 16-length Oaks winner, the first colt to complete the Derby-King George double since Galileo, and maybe even the winner of the Juddmonte International, Sheema Classic and Saudi Cup, the legendary trainer could produce the trump card to beat the lot of them and scoop Europe's biggest pot.

We amble outside into a glorious late August afternoon to get a glimpse of her. "This is Tarnawa," Weld says, as he unbolts the door to her stable. "Come on in and get a good look at her. Do you see her skin? It's incredible; she's like a seal," he adds, while gazing adoringly into her eyes.