With Ryan Moore still recovering from injury, the Belgian will continue in his role as temporary stand-in by partnering Minnie Hauk in Sunday’s showpiece
Aidan O’Brien has nominated Christophe Soumillion to ride the £4.1 million Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe favourite Minnie Hauk. The Ballydoyle trainer has won Europe’s richest race twice, the last time in 2016 with the filly Found who was ridden by Ryan Moore.
Moore was sidelined a month ago after being diagnosed with a fractured femur so is not available to O’Brien. As a result he has called on a top class replacement in Soumillon, the ten-time champion jockey of France, to fill in for Moore during his absence, supported by stable number two Wayne Lordan.
READ MORE: Tom Marquand snares ride on French Classic winner in £4.1m Prix de l’Arc de TriompheREAD MORE: Arc runner trained 6,000 miles away ridden by Oisin Murphy is bookie’s ‘worst result’
Soumillon delivered Group 1 success when he steered Delacroix to victory in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.
Minnie Hauk, who is set to be supplemented for the Arc on Wednesday, was bought for £1.6m as a yearling, has won all four starts this season, landing the Cheshire Oaks, Oaks, Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks.
She will join Los Angeles who contested the race 12 months ago and will be Lordan’s mount.
“Minnie Hauk’s work has been lovely,” said O’Brien. “Christophe sat on her during the week and that was his first time and he seemed very happy with her as well.
“He did a nice half speed on her on the Wednesday of last week and it seemed to go well. Minnie Hauk is very straightforward, really uncomplicated really. She is a good, strong traveller. She has pace early and usually finds it easy enough to get a position.
Los Angeles has had the Arc as his goal all season but he has been beaten three times since his last victory in May.
“He went to Ascot and race went a little bit wrong and he had a harder race than we would have liked. It took him a little bit more time to get back up again. We were very happy with his last run in Paris-Longchamp and we think he’s gone the right way since. It wiWayne will ride him.”