Former racing champion Ace Impact transitions to breeding career
Ace Impact Retires Unbeaten to Stud
Unbeatable Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe champion Ace Impact has officially announced his retirement from racing to pursue a career at stud. The magnificent bay colt, trained by the esteemed Jean-Claude Rouget, had an extraordinary campaign that saw him climb the ranks with remarkable speed and power.
His journey began with a gritty all-weather win in Cagnes-Sur-Mer back in January, sparking whispers of his potential greatness. From there on, he conquered each challenge with increasing dominance until achieving an electrifying victory in the prestigious ParisLongchamp showpiece earlier this month. It was truly a sight to behold.
Rouget carefully nurtured Ace Impact’s talents, strategically selecting races that would test his abilities and maximize his growth. After securing wins in conditions race and Listed company, it was time for the colt to face Group One competition.
In May, Ace Impact unleashed his signature burst of speed as he triumphed over rivals by an impressive three and a half lengths in the Prix du Jockey Club – France’s equivalent of the Derby – leaving spectators breathless. This marked another milestone on his path towards glory.
The Prix Guillaume d’Ornano at Deauville witnessed yet another display of brilliance from Ace Impact as he powered past competitors en route to clinching victory at Group Two level. His performances left no doubt about his favoritism for the highly anticipated Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
The Arc, held at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, saw Ace Impact as the hotly tipped contender. With jockey Cristian Demuro guiding him, the colt did not disappoint. He delivered a stylish performance and crossed the finish line in first place, solidifying his unbeaten record and proving himself to be a champion among champions.
Ace Impact’s owners, Serge Stempniak and Gousserie Racing of the Chehboub family, contemplated future plans for their star performer. Options such as competing in the Japan Cup or extending his racing career into 2024 were considered but eventually dismissed.
Instead, they made an important decision – retiring Ace Impact from racing to stand at Haras de Beaumont stud in Normandy. It was time for this exceptional racehorse to embark on his next chapter as a stallion.
Ace Impact concludes his illustrious career with an impeccable record of six wins out of six starts. His impressive rating of 128 places him just one pound behind top Japanese runner Equinox – truly remarkable company to be associated with.
Rouget spoke highly of Ace Impact’s unique qualities: “His acceleration is something rarely seen in a racehorse,” he said. “There are few horses capable of matching his speed and power during a race.”
The trainer reminisced about memorable moments shared with past champions like Zarkava while acknowledging that Ace Impact’s acceleration was on par with those elite performers. Rouget expressed gratitude for the thrill provided by Ace Impact’s victories in races such as Prix du Jockey Club and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – each triumph more delightful than the last.
Reflecting on memories forged alongside this incredible athlete, Rouget revealed plans to search for another equine talent that could match or even surpass Ace Impact’s achievements. The trainer’s dedication to finding future champions remains unwavering.
As Rouget poetically summed up, “Ace Impact may not appear impressive during morning workouts, but once he enters the race, he transforms into a force of nature with an unstoppable acceleration.”