Ground update ahead of ParisLongchamp’s Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend

Maintenance carried out on the track since the last meeting

Since the Arc Trials on Sunday, 15 September 2024, the priority of the teams led by Charles de Cordon, ParisLongchamp racecourse manager, has been to fill the divots left by the horses.  

In the following days, further maintenance was carried out before the next rainfall, such as rolling, aeration, bio stimulant. The grass was also cut to 10cm in order to let the track dry out.  

In fact, maintenance on the ParisLongchamp track took place in weather conditions marked  by regular rainfall : 40 mm since 15 September (compared with 31 mm over the same period last year). In these conditions, the track has not been watered since 15 September and there are no plans to water it before the Arc.

Starting this Monday, 30 September, the track will be rolled to level the surface. During the week before the Arc, the grass will be mowed on three occasions to achieve a height of 10 cm.

The permanent ground staff team is made up of 30 people and the workforce will rise to 80 for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend.
 

Weather conditions are improving towards the end of the week

According to the current weather forecast, light rain is expected to fall at the beginning of the week, on Monday and Tuesday. It will then remain cloudy throughout the week before the weather improves for the weekend.  

In these conditions, the going is expected to be VERY SOFT to SOFT over the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend. Ground descriptions will be adjusted according to weather conditions throughout the week.  
 

How to keep up to date with the going at the ParisLongchamp track

Throughout the week before the Arc, France Galop will publish a daily update of the going (Penetrometer and Going Stick) on the France Galop website on the page of the meeting in question.
This information will also be published daily on X under social media handle @FranceGalop.

Information regarding the rail on Saturday and Sunday

- Saturday, 5 October :
After the track has been left to rest for three weeks, the rail will be positioned as it was during the Qatar Arc Trials : 16 metres on the final straight and 8 metres throughout the remainder of the track.  

- Sunday, 6 October :
The rail will be moved back to zero (0).
On this day, there will be a 6m wide Cut-away at 450m from the winning post.

PRESS SERVICES
To access press releases and the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe media guide please : CLICK HERE
Link to photos free of rights for media : CLICK HERE