Jean-Claude Rouget secures victory at Prix du Jockey Club with Ace Impact

Unbeaten Ace Impact Claims Qatar Prix du Jockey Club Title

The racing world witnessed yet another stunning performance by Jean-Claude Rouget’s unbeaten colt, Ace Impact. The son of Cracksman extended his winning streak with a dominant display in the prestigious Qatar Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly.

Ace Impact secured his fourth victory after completing a hat-trick over 10 furlongs at the same track last month. Cristian Demuro steered him to success, coming from well off the pace to beat long-time leader and favorite Big Rock inside the final furlong.

Ace Impact Proves His Stamina

The additional half-furlong seemed to have played into Ace Impact’s hands as he looked more comfortable the further he went. Despite being unraced as a two-year-old, he has steadily progressed since making his debut over 10 furlongs at Cagnes-Sur-Mer in January.

Rouget was impressed with how Ace Impact quickened up to win going away by three and a half lengths: “I was impressed with his acceleration because he really comes from a long way off,” said the trainer. “To think that Big Rock was in front and had got the race in the bag, then 300 meters from the winning post, he comes and gets him.”

Epictetus Fades Away; Continuous Struggles

The British raider Epictetus held every chance turning for home but failed to sustain it and eventually finished fifth behind Frankie Dettori’s mount on board Aidan O’Brien’s Continuous who struggled throughout before failing to see out the final furlong finishing eighth out of eleven runners.

Record-Breaking Performance

The winning time of 2:02.63 was a track record, beating that recorded by Sottsass in the same race for Rouget in 2019. Sottsass went on to finish third in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe that season before triumphing in the European middle-distance championship the following year.

Ace Impact’s Future Plans

Rouget confirmed Ace Impact could head to ParisLongchamp this autumn and try to emulate Sottsass who was effective both on good ground and soft ground. He added, “I think he has got the profile; he is that type, he has that stride.”

Paddy Power and Betfair have cut Ace Impact’s odds for the Arc from 50-1 to 10-1 while Coral makes him their favorite at 5-1 for Eclipse.