They comprised over half of the runners, even though no filly had won the Arc since All Along in 1983. The bookmakers had Cash Asmussen’s Hernando as the favourite, with User Friendly as the favourite filly. Urban Sea had never won a Group 1 race, so she was 37/1 on the Pari-mutuel.

With the pressure building, something had to give, and to M. Lesbordes’ absolute delight, it was the weather. An hour before the race, the heavens opened, drenching the racecourse – Urban Sea would have her preferred ground. My team made their way to box 128 to watch the proceedings, and then, they were off!

It was a rough race, with plenty of bumping and jostling. As the mob charged towards the winning post, a familiar yellow jacket eased through on the far rail and powered down the final stretch. In box 128, it was pure pandemonium! With a cry of “Allez Eric,” Clement flung himself forward, and David had to stop him falling off the balcony.

His life-saving actions meant my husband missed the magical moment Urban Sea crossed the line, claiming one of the most historic victories in racing, and finally realizing all my hopes and dreams His lifetime’s ambition fulfilled, the visionary M. Lesbordes raced away to lead our Arc-conquering heroine back to the winner’s enclosure, while my husband headed to the bar, in search of whiskey to calm his racing heart! – But what of young Christopher? The spectacle my son witnessed that day was to have a profound effect on him, marking his young life for a myriad of reasons. I firmly believe Urban Sea’s 1993 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe victory was the genesis of Christopher’s personal journey towards racing greatness.

However, like all good things, it would take some time to unfold. In fact, as unbelievable as it sounds, my son would not set foot on a racecourse again for more than a decade.