"It's really special for us" - Green Empress rules for Joseph O'Brien
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Sun 4 Oct 2026
Green Empress provided Joseph O’Brien with another big-race success when narrowly holding off Data to win the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac at ParisLongchamp.
Never out of the first two in her career, she was paying the ultimate compliment to the brilliant Sun Goddess, who to date has been the only filly to beat her – on no less than three occasions.
Ridden confidently by Christophe Soumillon, Green Empress hit the front with half a furlong to run and looked set to win comfortably before Christoper Head’s Data made her pull out all the stops close home.
O’Brien said: “It’s really special for us to have a Group One winner on this day and she has been progressive – she’s only ever been beaten by Sun Goddess all year.
“She has a super pedigree, being by Saxon Warrior out of a Sea The Stars mare. We see her as a miler that might go 10 furlongs at some stage.
“We’ll see how she comes out of today and discuss with the owners whether she’ll go to America (Breeders’ Cup) or whether we wait for next year.”
The success was the latest Group One triumph in a stellar year for O’Brien, who added: “We’re very lucky to have the support of some great people and a wide variety of owners.
“For us it’s about performing and executing at big meetings. It’s fantastic to have a big winner on Arc day.”
Jane Mangan, racing manager of winning owners The Thoroughbred Racing Corporation Ltd, added: “This is Thoroughbred Racing Corporation’s first Group One since its relaunch, so it is quite special. When this filly won the Debutante at the Curragh, it was exactly thirty years after the late Prince Ahmed Salman won the Debutante in the United States, his first Group One.
"The whole family is absolutely delighted, and enormous credit really has to go to Joseph. He has been very patient with her. He had planned an autumn campaign and we kept running into Sun Goddess. Thankfully, today we got our chance!
"The Breeders’ Cup is definitely on the agenda if she comes out of this race well. Joseph was very patient with her in the middle of the summer, with this type of campaign in mind, and we would very much like to go to Kentucky if the filly is able to.”
Watch all British, Irish and French replays for FREE on the Racing TV website
Related posts
Angus McNae's Sunday tips: "He will be tough to catch"
Your essential guide to the 2026 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
Six horses to follow at Longchamp on Sunday
Five horses to follow in Britain and Ireland on Sunday
Huge shock as Caballo De Mar upsets Scandinavia in Prix du Cadran
Featured offers
Bet £10 get £30 in Free Bets with talkSPORT BET
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
New Customers. Opt in, deposit and bet £10+ on any horse racing markets within 7 days of sign up. Get 3 x £10 Free Bets for set horse racing markets. Bonuses expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ GambleAware
Get 50% back up to £50 with QuinnBet
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
New UK Customers Only. Bet £10+ on any sportsbook markets at odds of evens (2.00) or greater. Get 50% back of your first day’s losses as a Free Bet up to £50, valid for 7 days. 18+ GambleAware.
Bet £20 and Get £40 in Free Bets with Unibet
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Unibet: Bet £20 and Get £40 in Free Bets with Unibet
Bet £10 get £40 in free bets with Kwiff
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
New UK customers. Place a £10 real money bet at min. 2.0 odds within 5 days of deposit. Get 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 Single, 2 Accas & 1 Bet Builder (min. 3 selections each). Excludes cashout, E/W, Multis, Ineligible Markets & Odds Boosts. Credited after bet settlement. 7-day expiry. T&Cs apply. 18+ GambleAware
Copyright 2026 Racing TV - All Rights Reserved.
Please bet responsibly
Copyright 2026. All rights reserved