Fantastic Moon finishes a very good ninth in the Gr.1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe 2024

"Lost his chance when the rain came..." wrote the Racingpost the next day in its evaluation - and so it was.

On his second appearance in the race of the year, the €5 million Gr.1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (2,400 m), the weather gods were not necessarily on Fantastic Moon's side. Unsteady weather the week before and renewed rain shortly before the race did not play into the hands of the six-time Group and two-time Gr.1 winner, and yet "Fanta" once again showed the qualities that make him so special: Fighting strength and an enormous willingness to perform.

René Piechulek and his partner sought the fresh track on the inner rails, where Fantastic Moon settled in the front third of the field for a long time. The four-year-old colt fought hard in the final straight, but despite his best efforts he was unable to call up his usual turn of foot on the soft going.

The Sea The Moon son will now be given a short break and the further path will be decided in the coming weeks. He has a nomination for the Japan Cup. "We are also keeping our options open for a start in the Hong Kong Vase," says Lars-Wilhelm Baumgarten, founder of Liberty Racing.

A possible stallion career is also currently being discussed. "We still want him to retire to stud in Germany," Baumgarten continues.

"We are in conversations with German breeders. As a three-time champion two-, three- and four-year-old and the best German horse, we think he is a suitable stallion for Germany, even if he was unable to deliver his 100% performance on the unsuitable ground on Sunday."