Rossa Ryan hails stellar mare Bluestocking after 'surreal' Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe win

Galway jockey Rossa Ryan describes as "surreal" the moment when he partnered Bluestocking to win the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp.

Trained by Ralph Beckett for owner-breeders Juddmonte, the filly was supplemented for the Paris spectacular in the wake of her triumph over course and distance in the Prix Vermeille.

A 5-1 chance, she enjoyed a trouble-free passage in the slipstream of Aidan O'Brien's Los Angeles before holding off the advancing Aventure to land a record seventh Arc for the late Khalid Abdullah's decorated racing operation.

For Ryan, it's the biggest success of his career, just over a year on from his first Group 1 success.

Reflecting on that win in the French capital, in Europe's richest Flat race, the 24-year-old told RTÉ Sport: "It was a bit surreal if I'm being honest. I wasn't too nervous, more excited to get on her and see how we would fare out against the opposition. I wasn't fearful that she didn't have enough ability to win the race.

"I thought the first three furlongs of the race were going to be very crucial and when Ryan (Moore) came across me (on Los Angeles) at the mile marker where the trees are at the top of the hill, she took off on me at the top of the straight and it was very surreal that she got over the line in front.

"She has been a stellar mare for my career and hopefully it will take me on to bigger and better things."

Indeed Ryan is the first Irish jockey to win the Paris highlight since Mick Kinane piloted Sea The Stars to glory in 2009.

Son of National Hunt trainer, David, the younger Ryan "caught the bug" at a young age, though was "never pressured into it" as he set about making his mark in the racing world. He grew up in Corofin, a Gaelic football stronghold in Co