Group 1 glory for Ace Impact's 'little brother' Arrow Eagle as colt comes good for Demuro in Prix Royal-Oak

Arrow Eagle showed that he could be a potent force over staying distances when surging to success in the Prix Royal-Oak, the final Group 1 of the French season. 

In doing so he gave an early boost to the form of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe — a race in which he finished sixth behind Daryz — as well as achieving a race family double, given he is a Gleneagles half-brother to 2023 Arc hero Ace Impact. 

Cristian Demuro bided his time as Double Major, the winner of the race in each of the last two years, made a bold bid for home off the final bend, before sweeping down the outside to deny Queenstown and Sevenna's Knight with room to spare.

"I’ve taken so much pleasure from riding this family, with Ace Impact and now him," said Demuro. "To win a Group 1 with Arrow Eagle is incredible. I knew turning in I would have too much for the rest of them and it’s wonderful."

Jean-Claude Rouget has guided the career or Arrow Eagle, as he did Ace Impact, and while he was absent from Saint-Cloud, there was plenty of joy to share around between Demuro and longtime assistant trainer, Jean-Rene Dubosc.

Demuro said: "Jean-Claude took his time to find the key with this horse but Jean-Rene and I always told him it would be the end of the year and over a trip that we would see the best of him. We’ve all been proved right."

Sparks continues love affair

Laura Pearson rode her first Group race winner when Sparks Fly stretched clear of her rivals to score in the Group 3 Prix Perth, her fourth success in six visits to Saint-Cloud. 

Laura Pearson and Sparks Fly were back in the Saint-Cloud winner's enclosure on SundayCredit: Racing Post/Burton

Trainer Dave Loughnane said: "I’ve been adamant for two seasons she’s a Group 1 mare if she gets her conditions. She’s had a tough year on the wrong ground and when she gets her conditions, she’s unbeatable. 

Loughnane added: "She’s a lot better around a left-handed track but soft ground is key. She’ll race on again next year as a six-year-old and we’ll try and win her a Group 1."

Mujeres hits new peak

Paddy Twomey will have travelled back to Ireland with the sense of a job well done after Moyglare Stud's La Isla Mujeres and Billy Lee put five and a half lengths on their rivals in the Group 3 Prix Belle de Nuit, though part of him might be hoping her owners don't head straight to stud with the daughter of Lope De Vega.

"She has a good bit of ability and it’s great for her to win her group race," said Twomey. "We’ve been very lucky with this filly. We’ve taken our time with her, she loves soft ground and it’s great to win." 

Twomey added: "I think that she will probably be retired as she’s five, turning six, but I will have to ask her owner — Mrs Eva-Maria Bucher-Haefner. I think for this year she has done enough racing."

Read more here

'Christophe was always raving about him' - Pierre Bonnard new Derby favourite as Aidan O'Brien takes domination to new levels 

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.