Samum flies into Arc spotlight

Germany’s unbeaten Samum is 10-1 third favourite for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe after trouncing British hopes in the Mercedes Benz Grosser Preis von Baden at Baden-Baden on Sunday 3 September.

Samum, who has now won six races, including the German Derby, beat his compatriot and possible Arc rival Catella by 21/2 lengths with Mark Johnston’s gallant Fruits Of Love a head back in third.

Previously relatively unknown on the international scene, Samum put a high-class fieldfirmly in its place and is deservedly in the front line for Arc honours after running away with the fourth leg of the Emirates World Series.

He was ridden by Germany’s champion jockey Andrasch Starke and is trained by 32-year-old Andreas Schutz.

Schutz, who saddled Borgia to finish third behind Peintre Celebre in the 1997 Arc, said: “This is an exceptional colt – probably the best horse I have ever trained. Even before he won the German Derby we thought very highly of him. Now we know he is very special and so does everyone else.”