All roads lead to the Arc for Grand Prix de Paris hero Leffard

All roads lead to the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe for Leffard, after his emotional victory in the Grand Prix de Paris.

French trainer Jean-Claude Rouget was marking his return to the big time, having battled with cancer in recent years and seeing his string much reduced, also abandoning a plan to join forces with Jerome Reynier.

He had in fact been without a Group One success since the brilliant Ace Impact won the Arc in 2023.

Leffard races in the colours of Gerard Augustin-Normand, also the owner of Le Havre, Leffard’s sire and a Prix du Jockey Club winner for the same connections.

“He’ll run in the Prix Niel and the Arc, that will be his programme,” said former trainer John Hammond, racing and bloodstock adviser to Augustin-Normand, who owns the colt in company with Ecurie Antonio Caro.

“It was an emotional day given what Jean-Claude has been through, it was a big day, a big, big win.

“He’s a lovely looking horse, really good looking and very correct. He didn’t run at two, he’s a very nice type and hopefully he’ll be competitive in the autumn, but he’s going to have to step up a bit.

“On a line through the horse who finished third, New Ground, he was beaten about the same as he was by Lambourn in the Derby so we’ve a rough idea where we are. He was beaten five and a half lengths in Paris and five lengths at Epsom, so in theory that gives you a bit of a line.”

Hammond – twice an Arc-winning handler in his training days, courtesy of Suave Dancer and the magnificent Montjeu – added: “He’s got an outstanding pedigree and he means a lot to the owners, so it’s exciting.”