At the start of autumn in 1983, All Along was not remotely a candidate for any type of year-end award in North American Thoroughbred racing or her native France. She had not won a race all year.
Everything changed in the span of 42 days.
The previous year, the Targowice filly was unplaced in both the English and French Oaks at 3, but she proved her quality in winning the Group 1 Prix Vermeille in September 1982 in her native France. Three weeks later on soft ground at Longchamp, All Along finished 15th and beaten by 21 lengths in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Trained by Patrick Biancone for owner Daniel Wildenstein, an international art dealer, All Along had demonstrated an affinity for firmer ground so her connections targeted the Japan Cup, the second edition of the race, to close out her 3-year-old campaign. All Along led in deep stretch of the Japan Cup and held off Arc fourth-place finisher and Eclipse Award champion…
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