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Camelot confirmed for Arc showpiece with Dettori on board

By Alysen Miller, CNN
updated 4:59 AM EDT, Sun October 7, 2012
Camelot has stormed to victory in the 2,000 Guineas and Epson Derby this year.
Camelot has stormed to victory in the 2,000 Guineas and Epson Derby this year.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Camelot confirmed runner in Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
  • Frankie Dettori will ride 2,000 Guineas and Epsom Derby winner
  • Danedream, Snow Fairy and Nathaniel declared non-runners
  • Japanese horse Orfevre favorite for Sunday's race

(CNN) -- After a wave of scratchings from Longchamp's showpiece, racing fans finally got some good news Wednesday in the form of Camelot.

Aiden O'Brien confirmed his 2,000 Guineas and Derby winner will line up for the Prix de l'Arc de Triumphe Sunday.

And in an added twist, he will be ridden by Frankie Dettori - a jockey who is normally contracted to rival stables Godolphin.

The choice of jockey could be seen as something of an olive branch between two of the world's most powerful racing operations.

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Since Godolphin, owned by Dubai's Sheikh Mohammed, does not have a runner in the race, Dettori was free to take another ride.

Camelot was in need of a jockey since trainer's son Joseph, who has ridden him in all his starts to date, is unable to drop his weight to the 8st 11lbs that Camelot is required to carry.

For Camelot it is a chance to avenge defeat in last month's St Leger Stakes (coincidentally to Godolphin's Encke).

The hitherto-undefeated colt had been trying to become the first horse in more than four decades to win the English Triple Crown.

Now has has a chance to achieve the alternate treble of the 2,000 Guineas, the Epsom Derby and the Arc.

The inclusion of Camelot puts the pressure back on favorite Orfevre, who is aiming to become the first Japanese horse to win Europe's most prestigious race.

The withdrawal of top Arc contenders Danedream, Snow Fairy and Nathaniel had left the field wide open for the Japanese Triple Crown winner.

Now he faces potentially his toughest rival in the form of three-year-old Camelot.

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