Sassafras defeated Nijinsky to win the 1970 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
The race was held at Longchamp on 4 October 1970. Sassafras, ridden by Yves Saint-Martin and trained by François Mathet, defeated the British-trained Nijinsky by a short head in one of the Arc’s most famous finishes.
Nijinsky had won the English Triple Crown earlier that year and entered the Arc as a major favorite. Sassafras had already won the Prix du Jockey Club, France’s leading Derby, and produced the decisive late challenge.
The result ended Nijinsky’s chance of completing an unbeaten season. It is often remembered as one of the most dramatic clashes between a French Classic winner and an English Triple Crown champion.