The flat racing world was greeted with the news on Tuesday that the star mare of the 2020 season, Tarnawa for Dermot Weld and owners Aga Khan will be kept in training for next season with the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp her big target.
The daughter of Shamardal has come one leaps and bounds as a four year old, having shown signs of talent as a three year old but taking that to a new level this term.
She has gone unbeaten in all four of her events this year with a win at Cork in a Group Three setting her up for a triple Group one winning spree in France and America.
Ahead of Arc weekend she went to Longchamp for the Prix Vermeille and saw off the likeable Raabihah to take the Group One event.
She then backed that up when stepping down to 1 mile 2 furlongs in the Prix de l'Opera seeing off the smart Alpine Star in the final stages.
She’s special! Tarnawa wins the $4m @LonginesEq @BreedersCup Turf under @ctkjockey! #BC20 pic.twitter.com/jnVJLE5z7i
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 7, 2020
Having shown versatility on both good and soft ground, her handler knew she had a live chance in the Breeders Cup turf whatever the ground turned out to be like.
She was taking on her best field yet with the likes of seven time Group One winner Magical and whole host of other black type winning horses from the US and Europe.
With Christophe Soumillon set to take the ride but testing positive for Covid-19, Colin Keane stepped up to give her a superb patient ride which saw her go wide around the whole field to cruise up in the final stages to take the prestigious event.
Weld told the Irish Times: “The plan is for Tarnawa to stay in training next year, which is good news. We will look forward to training her for (an) autumn campaign again, which will hopefully include the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
“She has improved each year, from two to three to four and it’s quite possible she could improve even a little bit more.
“She is very versatile in terms of ground and is an exceptionally talented filly.”