The Ralph Beckett-trained Bluestocking provided one of the most memorable results of 2024 when staying on powerfully to claim the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. For Beckett, that represented a first win in Europe’s most prestigious race. Owners Juddmonte claimed the prize for the seventh time, but the first since the death of founder Khalid Abdullah in 2021.
Unlike many Arc heroes and heroines, Bluestocking will not return to defend her crown in 2025, with the gallant mare moving into her second career as a broodmare. Some were surprised to see Bluestocking retired at the end of her four-year-old campaign. Others suggested the decision was a little easier, as Juddmonte believed they had a filly ready, willing, and able to step into her formidable shoes.
The filly in question hails from the yard of Andrew Balding, goes by the name of Kalpana, and is the current antepost favourite for the 2025 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Landing back-to-back editions of the Arc with Rainbow Quest (1985) and Dancing Brave (1986) and Enable (2017 and 2018), could one of the most iconic owners in the sport do so for a third time?
The Road to Longchamp Begins at The Curragh
If Balding’s initial plan for Kalpana had gone to plan, we would have already witnessed the filly return to the track in last week’s Musidora Stakes at York. In the end, a dirty scope ruled the daughter of Study Of Man out of that assignment. Not that it mattered much to Balding, who sent out the 12-length runaway winner See The Fire.
Thankfully, Kalpana is now reportedly back to full strength and, following a satisfactory piece of work, appears likely to begin her Arc journey in the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh on Sunday afternoon.
Talented Colts Lie In Wait
Following impressive wins in the Listed Glasgow Stakes, Group 3 September Stakes, and a first career Group 1 in the British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes, Kalpana heads to Ireland seeking a high-class four-timer.
On paper, this represents a tougher assignment than the fillies-only Musidora Stakes. However, Kalpana is no stranger to tackling the colts, having mastered the males at Hamilton and Kempton last season. That said, if even a handful of the current entries stand their ground, this looks set to provide the four-year-old with the stiffest test of her career.
With 16 wins since 2000, the Irish don’t give up this €500,000 prize without a fight. The home defence looks set to be as staunch as ever in 2025, with the following stars amongst the current entries.
- White Birch – John Joseph Murphy-trained defending champion, who stormed to an impressive three-length success over Auguste Rodin in the 2024 edition. Fit and well following a comeback second in the Group 2 Mooresbridge Stakes at this track
- Los Angeles – The 2024 Irish Derby winner who finished a gallant second behind Bluestocking in the Arc. A pound behind White Birch on ratings, but mastered that rival by a neck in the aforementioned Mooresbridge Stakes last time out. Hailing from the yard of the most successful trainer in the history of the race, Aidan O’Brien, he may well start favourite on the day
- Al Riffa – Dual Group 1 winner from the Joseph O’Brien operation who has yet to finish outside the first two in four outings at the Curragh. Not quite at his best in two starts this season, but those efforts may tee him up nicely for this assignment
The sensational André Fabre colt Hurricane Run was the last horse to take this en route to Arc glory in 2006. Can Kalpana take the first step towards following suit? All eyes will be on Ireland at 3:05 pm on Sunday for what promises to be a cracker.