Coolmore and Godolphin may dominate the headlines of international racing, but cross the English Channel and the French have their own formidable turf empire. Francis-Henri Graffard, backed by the Aga Khan Studs and partnered by jockey Mikael Barzalona, virtually swept last Sunday`s Arc trials at ParisLongchamp. Daryz, Varandir and Erdenali strengthened their Arc claims, while Friendly Soul added an English challenge in record-breaking style. The battle lines are drawn.

We`ve got used to the Irish Coolmore colossus versus Dubai`s Godolphin ‘boys in blue` operation competing with one another for racing`s top prizes but their domination doesn`t extend across the English Channel to France. The famous Bayeux Tapestry depicting the conquest of Britain in 1066 by French invaders has been loaned for exhibition in the British Museum - but the French ‘turfistes` are giving nothing away. Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard, his main patron, the Aga Khan`s Studs, and jockey Mikael Barzalona are keeping all-comers at bay. Their virtual monopoly of top races in France was tightened yet again in last Sunday`s Prix de l`Arc de Triomphe trials in Paris.

Three of the major events went to the non pareil combination including their Arc favourite, Daryz who will attempt to retain his title on October 4. The trio`s feats, carrying the same green and red silks on Arc Trials day, enhanced their chances for that momentous first Sunday of next month by their victories last Sunday.

Daryz had little competition in the Prix Foy (Gr2); Erdenali in the Prix Moulin (Gr1) beat the Coolmore odds on Gstaad causing a further flutter in the value of the classic generation now the unbeaten Bow Echo has retired. And another favourite, Varandir in the Prix Niel (Gr2), whose only defeat was in the Grand Prix de Paris behind the UK`s leading Arc hope, Maltese Cross, booked his place in the Arc.

“Time only matters when you`re in jail” was the famously dismissive remark of one leading racehorse trainer when asked about record times. Another, similarly sceptical handler regarding pressure, retorted that it was “only important for tyres”. Graffard is generous with his time and handles pressure with aplomb. Composed and informative, riding a constant stream of success, the pressure is on his rivals, increased by Graffard`s almost total monopoly of Arc Trials day.

Successive record-breaking winners on the Longchamp card, second only to Arc day in significance, gave the laureates wild cards – immediate entry into the Arc without having to pay a fee. Money wouldn`t have been a problem to the Aga Khan Studs even before the victories of Varandir, Daryz and Erdenali totalled over half a million pounds – topping up Daryz`s career earnings alone to £2.9m and he is strong favourite to add another 2.8 million euros (current exchange rate approaching one euro equalling one-pound sterling) to that total on October 4.

The accumulated prize money for the Prix de l`Arc is five million euros the bulk of which could go to the upwards of at least three Graffard entries taking part in what is likely to be a full twenty-four runner field. As the trainer pointed out philosophically, “We have to have luck in the Arc so it is good to have several runners. Some of them will get their ideal ground. Some will get their favourable draw.” Both are strong factors over the 2400 metres course in the Bois du Boulogne, in the heart of Paris.

Daryz (Sea The Stars – Darykana by Selkirk) could not have been more impressive, even if the field (four) was nowhere near as competitive as the other trials. Varandir (Zarak-Varkesha by Pivotal) also won comfortably. Yet the one blot - Sunly (Night of Thunder-Suffused by Champs Elysees), isn`t written off, least of all by her trainer. Third in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (Gr1) behind the world`s top-rated horse Calandagan (Graffard-trained for the Aga Studs of course) Sunly finished strongly in the Prix Vermeille (Gr1) for the distaff side, over the Arc trip. She`d stumbled exiting the stalls and her trainer excused (not his regular fall-back position) her defeat. By the leading sire in the UK, the filly wasn`t quite able to make up all of the lost ground and Graffard, always generous with information in post-race interviews, did not rule out a big run from her in the Arc, a race in which fillies and mares, helped by allowances, have a good record.

Graffard explained each victory with his characteristic modesty, ebullience is not his style, and gave his prognostications for the future, qualifying his observations with the proviso that we might see entirely different going to that which favoured fast ground performers on Arc Trials day and led to successive track records.

Sunly`s troubles opened the door for the English filly Friendly Soul to take the Vermeille – in another record time. Friendly Soul eclipsed another mare, Treve`s 2014 Prix de ‘l`Arc time of 2 minutes 26.05 seconds, on admittedly on faster ground than is usually the case on Arc day, which takes place so much deeper into the autumn.

Friendly Soul (Kingman-In Clover by Inchinor) trained at Newmarket by the father and son team of John and Thady Gosden, has a distinguished background. She had won Group 1 previously – the Prix de l`Opera at Longchamp and the four-year-old is half-sister to three Group 1 winners, homebred by American George Strawbridge. The world is her oyster now with Breeders` Cup and Arc de Triomphe on the agenda. Friendly Soul had a long period away from the track. Now she can look forward to a busy autumn since she acts on all types of going.

I suggested earlier that fillies and mares have a great record in the Arc – taking advantage of their female`s allowance. Not only Treve but other famous females among them have achieved immortality: the Gosden`s Enable (2017-18); Juddmonte`s Blue Stocking two years ago; Alpinista (2022); Allez France (1974); Urban Sea, dam of Galileo (‘93), not forgetting Found (2016) who was Coolmore`s last Arc victory (race run at Chantilly) a rather distant ten years ago.

Next year the distaff side and the colts will have to combat geldings in the Arc. France-Galop, the French turf`s ruling body, has moved to allow castrated horses into the Group 1. That debate has gone on for years and the French decree hasn`t pleased everybody in European racing and breeding.

But the Prix de l`Arc de Triomphe, whose history only stretches back to 1920, is going to be the pathfinder for admitting all thoroughbreds to compete in what is the highest-rated race on the planet. Some say it doesn`t need an injection of fresh blood, or dilution of the current system which defenders insist is sacrosanct for the future of the breed and must be protected. But bloodlines of the future surely will not be compromised when geldings are allowed to test the merits of those who will continue to establish the direction of the thoroughbred.

The Arc will remain the monument to racehorses of the highest calibre – and to the trainers, jockeys and connections of the victors. The debate will persist, as is racing`s wont over difficult issues, but the resolution shown by France-Galop`s handling of this issue sets a precedent which should be followed elsewhere.