2012 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Result: Solemia shocks Orfevre at Longchamp

In a race billed as a battle between Epsom Derby winner Camelot (GB) and Japanese Triple Crown champion Orfevre (JPN), it was the French trained Solemia (IRE) that stole the show with a last gasp, neck victory over Orfevre in the final strides. Masterstroke finished third and Haya Landa rounded out the top four.

Orfevre's defeat was a crushing blow to the Japanese contingent as they looked to have finally won their first Arc after many attempts over the past decade. Inside the final quarter mile, Orfevre sprinted away from the field and looked to be a certain winner. But Solemia and Olivier Peslier just kept running and running and running through the final yards, surging past the Japanese champion in the final strides to win Europe's biggest prize.

Solemia is a four-year-old filly by Poliglote (GB) out of a Shirley Heights (GB) mare (Brooklyn's Dance (FR)).

The ground at Lonchamp on Sunday was rated as "Heavy" and appeared to be exceptionally slow and testing for the horses all day long.

Below are the payouts for the 2012 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe:

Below are the payouts from the 2012 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe:

WIN: 10-Solemia (IRE) ($83.00, $14.00)
PLACE: 6-Orfevre (JPN) ($5.80)
SHOW: 14-Masterstroke ($8.80)

$2.00 EXACTA: (10/6) $586.40
$2.00 QUINELLA: (6/10) $181.80
$2.00 TRIFECTA: (10/6/14) $4,110.60

I'll have more on the Arc later on today.