Quote:
Originally Posted by King Glorious
Perhaps the reason also-rans from the QE II have been successful in the Mile because 8f was their best distance and that's why they came up short in England. Perhaps the same reasoning applies in some way to the Arc. They can handle 12f just fine and that's why the Turf is not a problem but the reason they can't win the Arc is because the Arc more demanding than the 12f would suggest and maybe if Arc winners were able to come over here for a 13-14f race, they'd dominate it.
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Well, you also have horses like Conduit and Milan who won the St. Leger go on to do well in the Turf. Red Rocks placed in the St. Leger as well.
I think its more of the better Arc winners staying home, an indirect statement that the French race trumps the BC and it's alleged "World Thoroughbred Championship".
It's quite possible the Turf would have a different history of winners had Zarkava, Sinndar, Dalakhani, Sakhee, and Montjeu in his prime, showed up. But at the same time, we'd probably have gotten one or two more "Dancing Braves" in the process.
As for the Queen Elizabeth, I'm not sure that's necessarily the premier mile race in Europe. Most of the winners from previous years read like a who's who of Group 2 calibur horses. And in recent years, as you said, most that have come over have tried the Classic.
In addition, it seems to me that the Queen Elizabeth II is a sort of "graveyard of favorites" if you will. Giant's Causeway, Miesque, Hawk Wing, among others tasted defeat in the race. At one point, even Raven's Pass win over Henrythenavigator was considered an upset.
Meanwhile, the top French mile, the Prix du Moulin, has produced 5 BC Mile winners.