Treve, the pride of Longchamp, is poised to create history if she can win a third Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe, to be decided on the first Sunday in October.

The Arc, as it is best known, is the premier classic race in Europe, if not the world, open to three year olds and upwards, colts and fillies, geldings are excluded, as they should be, according to the purist, they don’t enhance the breed

First run in 1920 the winner, Comrade, ridden by the Australian jockey, Frank Bullock, two years later he won the race again, this time on Ksar, the second of that horses two wins.

Comrade was somewhat of an ungainly animal, of little conformation, when offered for sale as a yearling the auctioneer appealed to onlookers, if he could not receive a bid of 25 guineas he would pass the colt out as unsold.

Treve has already joined a select group Ksar, Corrida, Tantieme, Ribot and Alleged, as dual winners that have all won the race in successive years.

Ribot, possibly the best horse to have won the Arc, sired two winners of the classic, Molvedo, from his first crop of foals and Prince Royal three years later.

The Arc, run over 2400 metres is a genuine test of stamina, started at the windmill in a chute no more than 50 metres off the main course, then it’s a steady climb for 1200 metres before the first turn comes up.

It is a true test of stamina, a leader has often surrendered long before the top of the hill has been reached.

Treve is nearing the top of her form, her races are being well spaced, she won back in May, then the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud over 2400 metres in June.

On Sunday she faces up to the Prix Vermeille, which is likely to be her final run before the Arc, French trainers are inclined to give their horses longer preparations but space their races further apart as is in the case of Treve.

Her presence while working at Chantilly on the Piste des Aigles, attracted more than 50 members of the media who were on hand to see the dual Arc success lobbling along for a mile (1600 metres), before being asked to quicken up.

The work pleased her trainer, Criquette Head-Maarek, and rider, Thierry Jarnet, leading up to the first Sunday in October.