Torquator Tasso stuns big-name rivals to spring shock success for Germany in Arc

The eagerly anticipated 100th running of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe assembled a veritable who's who of European Flat racing. It finished with stunned observers left simply asking: "Who?"

For German racing the remarkable victory of Torquator Tasso provided an unexpected but wonderful cause for celebration. For almost everyone else it initially delivered anti-climax and bewilderment as a 72-1 outsider swept past leading fancies Tarnawa, Hurricane Lane and Adayar to achieve something few could possibly have foreseen.

Only two months ago a horse who carries the colours of the German flag had been soundly defeated on home soil by the Sir Mark Prescott-trained Alpinista. That did not suggest his ticket to the Arc would yield much of a return, yet following success in the Grosser Preis von Baden he surged forward once again to capture what had looked like a vintage staging of the sport's supreme middle-distance championship.

3.05 Longchamp Sunday: Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe full result

If the horse's name had hitherto meant little to many racing fans, neither were trainer Marcel Weiss and jockey Rene Piechulek exactly household names outside their own country. Now, however, they occupy a proud place on an illustrious roll of honour after combining to give their nation a third Arc triumph following the wins of Star Appeal and Danedream in 1975 and 2011.

Rain had pounded the streets of Paris through Saturday night and Sunday morning, creating a sound that must have been music to the ears of a second-season trainer and a jockey whose career has been helped by opportunities afforded him by the Covid-induced absence of visiting international riders in Germany. Their horse adored the gruelling Longchamp ground and in what became a test of bravery as well as brilliance, it was he who was the extremely deserving winner.

Torquator Tasso (yellow, right) wears down Tarnawa (left) and Hurricane Lane (white cap)Credit: Edward Whitaker

Given the intensity of the build-up to this Arc and the unrelenting focus on so many of its leading contenders, the postscript felt strangely surreal, not least in a post-race press conference during which journalist Liz Price conversed with the winning trainer and jockey in German before perfectly translating their answers into French and then English.

"It's all very difficult for me to understand – I can't really digest that I have won this race," said the 44-year-old Weiss, an assistant trainer for 20 years before taking over the Mulheim yard of Jens Hirschberger at the end of 2019.

"We started to plan for the Arc last winter. I thought this was the strongest Arc of the last few years but I still thought he deserved to go to the start. We would have been very happy if he had finished third, fourth, fifth or sixth. We would have considered that a success. The fact he has won is a bonus.

"You cannot go higher than the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Every trainer dreams of it. That I have won it is absolutely unreal."

Not that Weiss was jumping and up down with joy. Dressed in a sober black suit, he could have been mistaken for an understated tax inspector. Nevertheless, although much more Ryan Moore than Frankie Dettori, he said his demeanour changed when Torquator Tasso crossed Longchamp's winning line three-quarters of a length in front of Tarnawa, who along with her eventual conqueror and Hurricane Lane had only got past long-time leader Adayar just over half a furlong from home.

"During the race I was very quiet," admitted Weiss, before adding with a smile: "When we won I screamed but nobody saw me."

Piechulek was positively beaming. "There was not a lot of pace in the race so I immediately tried to get a position with the leading horses," said the 34-year-old. "I wanted to be in a spot where when we got into the straight I could really launch my horse. The longer the straight the better he gets so I was keen to make full use of him.

"I was honoured just to be able to ride in the Arc. I want to thank the owners, breeders and trainer for letting me ride Torquator Tasso, even though I hadn't taken part in the race before. I can't believe I've won. Wait until tomorrow, then I might believe it."

Tarnawa's trainer Dermot Weld was already convinced. "This is not a surprise," he insisted. "I have the highest regard for German racing. Every so often they've come up with a good horse."

The winning connections of the shock Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero

Their latest exceptionally good horse is part-owned by 88-year-old Helga Endres, who along with husband, Peter-Michael Endres, is one of the forces behind Gestut Auenquelle, in whose silks last year's Deutsches Derby second competes.

Sadly, she was not able to make it on to the winner's podium but instead stood close to it with the Arc's silver trophy perched on her walking frame. Throughout the playing of the German national anthem she sported a face that transmitted joy, as she had when congratulated moments earlier by the Princess Royal.

"It's fantastic – and, yes, I do believe it," she said. "I was so sure, so very sure. He was number one, so he came first in the parade and he also came first in the race. He was always number one to me. This horse is in my heart.

"I'm so happy, I can't believe it. I have a broken leg, so I can't do much at the moment. I have done sport all my life. I am a skier and I have never broken anything but I fell over in the garden. The leg was already feeling better. Now, thanks to this horse, it feels very much better."

Read more on the 2021 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe:

'If we hadn't had so much rain we'd have won' – Weld rues Tarnawa near-miss

Appleby points to lack of pace after Godolphin challenge comes unstuck in ground

'If the winner wasn't 80-1 we'd be saying it was the best Arc for decades'

How the 2021 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe unfolded on testing ground at Longchamp

2021 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe result: where your horse finished

Over 50% off Racing Post Members' Club!Members' Club is the only subscription racing fans and punters need in order to stay informed and make smarter betting decisions. Features include early access to the Racing Post digital newspaper, exclusive news and interviews, premium tips and form study tools to assist with betting. Select 'Get Ultimate Monthly' and enter code TRYME to get your first month for just £14.99* – that's better than half price!

Subscribe now

If you decide that Members' Club is not for you, then you can cancel at anytime by contacting us.

*Members' Club Ultimate Monthly first month will be charged at £14.99, renews at full price thereafter