Ferland not feeling the pressure with Arc angel Aventure

Christophe Ferland is keeping himself grounded ahead of Aventure’s bid for Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe glory and confirmed regular pilot Maxime Guyon will take the ride.

Guyon – who is also the regular partner of last year’s beaten favourite Sosie for owners the Wertheimer brothers – was in the plate when the Sea The Stars filly finally got her long-awaited Group One in the Qatar Prix Vermeille at ParisLongchamp on Arc trials day.

The four-year-old was second in that race behind Bluestocking last year before again chasing home Ralph Beckett’s star in the Arc itself.

Ferland said: “Last year he (Guyon) rode Sosie, but he knows the filly very well and last year my filly finished second so it’s up to him to better that this year!

“It was very important to win a Group One race. We were waiting for a Group One success for this filly, she didn’t have easy Group Ones in the past at three years old and through this year.

“She was running against older horses and last year she came up against Bluestocking who beat her in the Qatar Prix Vermeille and then also in the Arc and this year we came up against Calandagan so it was great to get the Group One at a time in the season when we still have other targets.

“The filly is very good, she has recovered very well from that race. She’s in good form and we haven’t had any issues. We are preparing now for the Arc with a lot of serenity and calmness.

“I’m quite calm about it. Last year I felt more pressure, it was more difficult because she was three years old and she was running against the older horses.

“The Arc is a very important race and is very much in the minds of everyone. I could have run in the Opera (Prix de l’Opera), I’m not saying that it would have been easier, but it wouldn’t get as much attention as the Arc and this year I’m quite calm.”