The Miracle of Mulheim: meet Marcel Weiss and Arc hero Torquator Tasso
Scott Burton travels to Germany to discuss an extraordinary victory
The headline in the Racing Post said it all: "Torquator who?" Paris-Turf went with "sensation", and even the website of German racing's rulers, Deutscher Galopp, proudly boasted of the "miracle" of the country's third Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner.
At Longchamp, trainer Marcel Weiss appeared to be floating above all the mayhem, calmly rationalising the fact that in just his second season with a licence he had sent out a 80-1 chance to win Europe's greatest prize under a jockey having his first ride in the race.
Ten days later the excitement is still vivid for all those involved, everyone connected to the Weiss's stable in this small Ruhr valley suburb having their own recollection of how they lived through those incredible two and a half minutes.
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Copy- 'You can see why people end up struggling - when you're trying to pay the electric bill, losing one ride can be massive'
- 'I've never paid six figures for a horse and never will - I learned pretty quickly you're only one phone call away from f*** all'
- 'I’ve trained some fabulous horses, worked with some excellent riders - maybe I have brought a little bit of talent to the table as well'
- ‘When you’re in the moment and you’re starved, you’re ready to explode - everything built up and I just lost my s**t’
- 'He must have his breakfast earlier than Willie does' - Patrick Mullins goes behind enemy lines at Gordon Elliott's yard
- 'You can see why people end up struggling - when you're trying to pay the electric bill, losing one ride can be massive'
- 'I've never paid six figures for a horse and never will - I learned pretty quickly you're only one phone call away from f*** all'
- 'I’ve trained some fabulous horses, worked with some excellent riders - maybe I have brought a little bit of talent to the table as well'
- ‘When you’re in the moment and you’re starved, you’re ready to explode - everything built up and I just lost my s**t’
- 'He must have his breakfast earlier than Willie does' - Patrick Mullins goes behind enemy lines at Gordon Elliott's yard