Arcangues (USA)
March 12, 1988 – October 2006
Sagace (FR) x Albertine (FR), by Irish River (FR)
Family 8-f
March 12, 1988 – October 2006
Sagace (FR) x Albertine (FR), by Irish River (FR)
Family 8-f
Foaled in Kentucky but born from French lineage, Arcangues proved talented but somewhat erratic, the result of back problems suffered throughout his career. Although he was a Group 1 winner in France, he is best known as the longest shot ever to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic (USA-G1), storming home at odds of 133.60-1. He was not a success at stud.
Race record
19 starts, 6 wins, 2 seconds, 2 thirds, US$1,980,631 (includes converted English and French earnings)
1991:
1992:
1993:
1994:
Assessments
Rated at 123 pounds on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American-raced older males of 1993, 2 pounds below champion Bertrando.
Highweighted among French older males of 1993 over 7-9.5F.
Rated at 117 pounds on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American-raced turf runners of 1994, 10 pounds below champion Paradise Creek.
Earned a lifetime top Timeform rating of 128 pounds.
As an individual
A leggy, angular chestnut horse, Arcangues struggled with back problems during much of his racing career. He had a sharp turn of foot when at his best and handled both firm and soft going well.
As a stallion
According to statistics compiled by The Jockey Club, Arcangues sired 158 winners from 352 named foals of racing age. His only stakes winner was Ar Alan, a multiple Group 2 winner by Japanese standards.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Arcangues was bred and owned by Daniel Wildenstein’s Allez France Stables. He was trained by André Fabret hrough age 5; at 6, he was trained by Richard Mandella. He was ridden to his Breeders’ Cup Classic win by Jerry Bailey. Arcangues entered stud in 1995 at Nakamura Chikusan, Japan. He was pensioned in March 2006 after having foundered and was euthanized in October of that year.
Pedigree notes
Sired by 1985 French co-champion older male Sagace, Arcangues is inbred 3x4 to 1955 Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas) winner and French champion miler Klairon. He is a full brother to Afrique Bleu Azur, dam of 1998 One Thousand Guineas (ENG-G1) winner Cape Verdi (by Caerleon) and multiple French listed stakes winner L’Africain Bleu (by Saint Cyrien). He is a half brother to 1994 Prix de Psyche (FR-G3) winner Agathe (by Manila), dam of multiple French Group 1 winner Aquarelliste (by Danehill), multiple Grade 1 winner Artiste Royal (by Danehill), and Australian listed stakes winner Annenkov (by Danehill); second dam of French Group 2 winner Ziyad; and third dam of multiple French Group 3 winner Monty. Arcangues is also a half brother to multiple French listed stakes winner Alamo Bay (by Nureyev), to French steeplechase stakes winner Albert Hall (by Stravinsky), and to Alcove (by Valdez), second dam of Grade 3 winner Genre. In addition, he is a half brother to Asnieres (by Spend a Buck), dam of 2004 Prix de Flore (FR-G3) winner Australie (by Sadler’s Wells) and 2013 Glorious Stakes (ENG-G3) winner Forgotten Voice (by Danehill Dancer) and second dam of multiple Group 1 winner Luxembourg and Irish Group 2 winner Leo de Fury, and to Ange Bleu (by Alleged), dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Angara (by Alzao), 2004 Prix Corrida (FR-G2) winner Actrice (by Danehill), and French listed stakes winner Arlesienne (by Alzao); second dam of Group 3 winners Affaire Solitaire, Aquamarine, and Teodoro; and third dam of Grade 2 winner Verstappen and multiple Irish Group 3 winner Boundless Ocean. Finally, Arcangues is a half brother to Alaskan Idol (by Carson City), second dam of 2020 Premio Polla de Potrancas (CHI-G1) winner Alaskan Queen; to Altana (by Mountain Cat), dam of 2006 Blue Wind Stakes (IRE-G3) winner Galatee (by Galileo), second dam of Group 2 winners Manatee, Dartmouth, and Aylmerton, and third dam of Grade 2 winner Siskany and English Group 3 winner Desert Hero; and to Anna Karenina (by Atticus), dam of Irish listed stakes winner Anna’s Rock (by Rock of Gibraltar) and second dam of multiple English Group 2 winner Breton Rock.
Arcangues and his siblings are out of Group 2-placed Albertine, a half sister to multiple French Group 2 winner Ashmore (by Luthier) and 1976 Prix de Minerve (FR-G3) winner Acoma (by Rheffic), dam of French Group 2 winner Agent Bleu (by Vacarme) and third dam of 1997 Spanish champion imported older male Leonard Quercus. Albertine is also a half sister to Abbey (by Jim French), dam of French listed stakes winners Abrege (by Shirley Heights) and Flash Ball (by Cricket Ball), second dam of Australian Group 2 winner Rosina Lad and French Group 3 winner Abbatiale, and third dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Bolshoi Ballet, Australian Group 2 winner Southern France, and multiple Group 3 winner Bewitched. In addition, she is a half sister to Amenity (by Luthier), dam of South African listed stakes winner I Try (by Try My Best), hurdle stakes winner Boarding School (by Glenstal), and Irish listed stakes winner Idle Affair (by Try My Best); second dam of 1999 Gran Premio Internacional Copa de Plata (Arg-G1) winner Alexine and multiple Grade 3 winner Idle Rich; and third dam of four-time Turkish champion Talip Han, 20016 Ormond Memorial Stakes (NZ-G1) winner Cazals, and French Group 2 winner Joanna.
Almyre, the dam of Albertine and her siblings, won the 1967 Prix Omnium in France. Sired by the stamina influence Wild Risk, she is a half sister to Amya (by Sanctus), dam of 1984 Prix Royal-Oak (French St. Leger, FR-G1) winner Agent Double (by One for All) and 1986 Prix du Cadran (FR-G1) winner Air de Cour (by Vigors) and second dam of Argentine Group 3 winner Across. The next dam in Arcangues’s tail-female line, Ad Gloriam (by the good French stakes winner Alizier), is a half sister to 1963 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French One Thousand Guineas) winner Altissima (by Klairon) and to stakes-placerd Sursum Corda, dam of three stakes winners including multiple Group 1 winner Sumayr (by Ela-Mana-Mou).
Books and media
A review of Arcangues’s win in the 1993 Breeders’ Cup Classic can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87iSTKWy4zc.
Fun facts
Last updated: September 29, 2023
Race record
19 starts, 6 wins, 2 seconds, 2 thirds, US$1,980,631 (includes converted English and French earnings)
1991:
- Won Prix Eugène Adam (FR-G2, 2000mT, Saint Cloud)
- 2nd Prix Guillaume d'Ornano (FR-G2, 2000mT, Deauville)
- 3rd Prix Niel Escada (FR-G2, 2400mT, Longchamp)
- 3rd Prix du Conseil de Paris (FR-G2, 2400mT, Longchamp)
1992:
- Won Prix du Prince d'Orange (FR-G3, 2000mT, Longchamp)
- 2nd Prix d'Ispahan (FR-G1, 1850mT, Longchamp)
1993:
- Won Breeders' Cup Classic (USA-G1, 10FD, Santa Anita)
- Won Prix d'Ispahan (FR-G1, 1850mT, Longchamp)
1994:
- Won John Henry Handicap (USA-G2, 9FT, Hollywood)
Assessments
Rated at 123 pounds on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American-raced older males of 1993, 2 pounds below champion Bertrando.
Highweighted among French older males of 1993 over 7-9.5F.
Rated at 117 pounds on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American-raced turf runners of 1994, 10 pounds below champion Paradise Creek.
Earned a lifetime top Timeform rating of 128 pounds.
As an individual
A leggy, angular chestnut horse, Arcangues struggled with back problems during much of his racing career. He had a sharp turn of foot when at his best and handled both firm and soft going well.
As a stallion
According to statistics compiled by The Jockey Club, Arcangues sired 158 winners from 352 named foals of racing age. His only stakes winner was Ar Alan, a multiple Group 2 winner by Japanese standards.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Arcangues was bred and owned by Daniel Wildenstein’s Allez France Stables. He was trained by André Fabret hrough age 5; at 6, he was trained by Richard Mandella. He was ridden to his Breeders’ Cup Classic win by Jerry Bailey. Arcangues entered stud in 1995 at Nakamura Chikusan, Japan. He was pensioned in March 2006 after having foundered and was euthanized in October of that year.
Pedigree notes
Sired by 1985 French co-champion older male Sagace, Arcangues is inbred 3x4 to 1955 Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas) winner and French champion miler Klairon. He is a full brother to Afrique Bleu Azur, dam of 1998 One Thousand Guineas (ENG-G1) winner Cape Verdi (by Caerleon) and multiple French listed stakes winner L’Africain Bleu (by Saint Cyrien). He is a half brother to 1994 Prix de Psyche (FR-G3) winner Agathe (by Manila), dam of multiple French Group 1 winner Aquarelliste (by Danehill), multiple Grade 1 winner Artiste Royal (by Danehill), and Australian listed stakes winner Annenkov (by Danehill); second dam of French Group 2 winner Ziyad; and third dam of multiple French Group 3 winner Monty. Arcangues is also a half brother to multiple French listed stakes winner Alamo Bay (by Nureyev), to French steeplechase stakes winner Albert Hall (by Stravinsky), and to Alcove (by Valdez), second dam of Grade 3 winner Genre. In addition, he is a half brother to Asnieres (by Spend a Buck), dam of 2004 Prix de Flore (FR-G3) winner Australie (by Sadler’s Wells) and 2013 Glorious Stakes (ENG-G3) winner Forgotten Voice (by Danehill Dancer) and second dam of multiple Group 1 winner Luxembourg and Irish Group 2 winner Leo de Fury, and to Ange Bleu (by Alleged), dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Angara (by Alzao), 2004 Prix Corrida (FR-G2) winner Actrice (by Danehill), and French listed stakes winner Arlesienne (by Alzao); second dam of Group 3 winners Affaire Solitaire, Aquamarine, and Teodoro; and third dam of Grade 2 winner Verstappen and multiple Irish Group 3 winner Boundless Ocean. Finally, Arcangues is a half brother to Alaskan Idol (by Carson City), second dam of 2020 Premio Polla de Potrancas (CHI-G1) winner Alaskan Queen; to Altana (by Mountain Cat), dam of 2006 Blue Wind Stakes (IRE-G3) winner Galatee (by Galileo), second dam of Group 2 winners Manatee, Dartmouth, and Aylmerton, and third dam of Grade 2 winner Siskany and English Group 3 winner Desert Hero; and to Anna Karenina (by Atticus), dam of Irish listed stakes winner Anna’s Rock (by Rock of Gibraltar) and second dam of multiple English Group 2 winner Breton Rock.
Arcangues and his siblings are out of Group 2-placed Albertine, a half sister to multiple French Group 2 winner Ashmore (by Luthier) and 1976 Prix de Minerve (FR-G3) winner Acoma (by Rheffic), dam of French Group 2 winner Agent Bleu (by Vacarme) and third dam of 1997 Spanish champion imported older male Leonard Quercus. Albertine is also a half sister to Abbey (by Jim French), dam of French listed stakes winners Abrege (by Shirley Heights) and Flash Ball (by Cricket Ball), second dam of Australian Group 2 winner Rosina Lad and French Group 3 winner Abbatiale, and third dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Bolshoi Ballet, Australian Group 2 winner Southern France, and multiple Group 3 winner Bewitched. In addition, she is a half sister to Amenity (by Luthier), dam of South African listed stakes winner I Try (by Try My Best), hurdle stakes winner Boarding School (by Glenstal), and Irish listed stakes winner Idle Affair (by Try My Best); second dam of 1999 Gran Premio Internacional Copa de Plata (Arg-G1) winner Alexine and multiple Grade 3 winner Idle Rich; and third dam of four-time Turkish champion Talip Han, 20016 Ormond Memorial Stakes (NZ-G1) winner Cazals, and French Group 2 winner Joanna.
Almyre, the dam of Albertine and her siblings, won the 1967 Prix Omnium in France. Sired by the stamina influence Wild Risk, she is a half sister to Amya (by Sanctus), dam of 1984 Prix Royal-Oak (French St. Leger, FR-G1) winner Agent Double (by One for All) and 1986 Prix du Cadran (FR-G1) winner Air de Cour (by Vigors) and second dam of Argentine Group 3 winner Across. The next dam in Arcangues’s tail-female line, Ad Gloriam (by the good French stakes winner Alizier), is a half sister to 1963 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French One Thousand Guineas) winner Altissima (by Klairon) and to stakes-placerd Sursum Corda, dam of three stakes winners including multiple Group 1 winner Sumayr (by Ela-Mana-Mou).
Books and media
A review of Arcangues’s win in the 1993 Breeders’ Cup Classic can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87iSTKWy4zc.
Fun facts
- The first foreign-based runner to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Arcangues was named after a village in the Aquitaine region of France.
- Arcangues’s win in the Breeders’ Cup Classic was his first race on dirt, one reason that his odds were so high.
- Jerry Bailey, who picked up the Breeders’ Cup mount on Arcangues at the last minute, did not speak French and was unable to understand the horse’s French groom as the man gave advice regarding the horse. As Bailey admitted later in his autobiography Against the Odds: Riding for My Life (2005, G. P. Putnam’s Sons), “When I went to the paddock to get a leg up on Arcangues, I knew next to nothing about him other than his post position.”
- Arcangues was the second of five Breeders' Cup Classic winners for Bailey, a member of the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame. The others were Black Tie Affair (1991), Concern (1994), Cigar (1995), and Saint Liam (2005).
- Arcangues was originally slated to enter stud in 1994 at Haras du Buff, France, but remained in the United States to race in California during the 1994 season. Prior to the 1995 breeding season, the horse was purchased by Kazuo Nakamura and was sent to Japan instead.
Last updated: September 29, 2023