Olivier Peslier ended a 14-year wait for a fourth Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in very unlikely fashion as the unfancied filly Solemia induced more Japanese heartbreak at Longchamp.

The French jockey dominated the European showpiece on three consecutive occasions in the late 90s and his enduring prowess around the famous Parisian course means he joins only Jacques Doyasbere, Freddie Head, Yves Saint-Martin and Pat Eddery as a quadruple winner.

Christophe Soumillon must have felt the Arc would be his for a third time when launching Orfevre into a commanding lead approaching the final furlong, only to find Peslier galvanising the Carlos Laffon-Parias-trained 33-1 shot Solemia on his outside and snatching victory away on the line.

A mass of Orfevre's supporters had made the trip from the Far East to see if there would finally be a Japanese success story, following close shaves for Deep Impact, Nakayama Festa and El Condor Pasa, but they were a neck away again, with a yawning seven lengths back to Masterstroke in third.

Peslier said: "I'm very honoured, and as I'm still riding maybe I will break that record. I was pushing her along with the pace, but when I saw Orfevre go past I thought I would ride for second or third. Then I saw Orfevre slowing a bit, so I fought with her and I knew she could catch him."

Solemia was providing by far the biggest moment in the career of Spanish-born Laffon-Parias, who said: "It's a big day for me to have all my family with me. It's my third runner in the Arc, but the first with a chance. Sometimes the jockey can make the difference and Olivier Peslier is the one who won the race.

"She had a hard first part of the season and had a little problem so we gave her a break and started to prepare her for the Arc. Soft ground is very important to her and I hoped she might get a place. Obviously this is much better."

Solemia is owned, like the marvellous Goldikova, by the Wertheimer brothers and Alain Wertheimer said "She will run again this season, in Los Angeles at the Breeders' Cup."

Soumillon summarised the Japanese disappointment when he said: "It's sad because he's got huge potential, but I've got no regrets. Once I had the lead, no-one could have imagined that we'd be beaten. Fifty metres from the line, I saw I'd have difficulty getting him going again.

"He has what it takes to win the Arc, he's the best horse I've ever ridden. I hope he'll run against Frankel in the Champion Stakes, or else in the Japan Cup."