Stephane Wattel enjoyed a first group 1 success in more than three decades of training as Simca Mille struck for France in the Westminster 133rd Grosser Preis von Berlin (G1T) at Hoppegarten Aug. 13.
Two of the last three winners of the German group 1 have added a Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe success to their CV and that race will be the next stop for Simca Mille Oct. 1.
The 4-year-old, by Tamayuz, had twice gone close to giving his trainer a top-level breakthrough, including when beaten only a neck in last season's Grand Prix de Paris (G1T), but breezed past his toiling rivals in the home straight and fought on gamely under Alexis Pouchin for an emotional success.
The rider, whose own first group 1 came just a fortnight ago aboard Mqse De Sevigne in the Prix Rothschild (G1T), showed his exhilaration with a point to the crowd as the pair held off the fast-finishing Sisfahan to tee up a shot at the Arc in October.
Wattel said: "It's fantastic for the horse and I have to admit it's very nice for me too, it's my first group 1 after more than 30 years of training. I'm so happy to have this happen here in Berlin in front of a great crowd.
