Young jockey Ebbe Verhestraeten rewarded trainer Amy Murphy by kicking off Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend in style. The pair combined with Jabracadabra, who led a furlong from home in the Group Two Qatar Prix Chaudenay and stayed on for a two-length supremacy.
A Landmark Win at Longchamp
Verhestraeten joined Murphy as her apprentice when she relocated to France from Britain in March 2025, and the rider lost his claim on the stable's miler Sydney Moon in the Grand Criterium de Bordeaux just days ago. The pair enhanced their reputations on the big stage with the Kevin Freeman-owned Jabracadabra, who was stepping up to 1m 7f at Paris Longchamp.
"I was really excited about today, I had a really good feeling about the horse in the morning," Verhestraeten told Sky Sports Racing. "We jumped out, I trusted him and tried to go forward. He is making progress after each race and he has done a great job today. I lost my claim at the beginning of the week in a Listed race in Bordeaux. That was incredible to do it at that level. This is unbelievable."
Murphy's Faith Rewarded
Pierre Bonnard, the 11-10 favourite representing Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore, did not have the pace to challenge the comfortable scorer. "Amy is not really complicated to work for, she believes in me," Verhestraeten added. "Trusts her horses and jockeys."
Murphy announced her move to Chantilly in February of last year to pursue better prize money, and she reached her target of 35 winners in recent days. The relocation came ten years after she became one of the youngest handlers in the UK, running her business from Newmarket.
A Grade One Pedigree
A Grade One winner over jumps with Kalashnikov, Murphy landed the Group Two Goffs Prix Robert Papin at Chantilly in July with Tokaido. She told how she believed in Verhestraeten before he took the reins on Jabracadabra, who was joined in the race by stablemate Victoire Magique.
"What a ride from Ebbe (Verhestraeten)," she said. "We walked out there together and I said 'just remember you can do this'. He's a young jockey, he only lost his claim last week and he gave him a fantastic ride so kudos to him. All my team are here which is fabulous, that was great. The champagne is firmly open from about ten minutes from now!"
