New in 2025 ARC RACES : Incredible races that come with a Wildcard for the Arc
Arc Races, a major initiative to boost the attractiveness of French racing. For its first edition, the campaign will focus on French races with the aim of reaching the general public in France and involving racing stakesholders all over the world.
Launch of Season One of the Arc Races: a red thread leading to legend
In 2025, winners of the prestigious Arc races will be given an automatic berth in the legendary Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the €5 million “Thoroughbred World Cup”, which takes place on Sunday, 5 October at ParisLongchamp.
Every year, 35 000 spectators from all over the world fill the ParisLongchamp stands for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, an event that is broadcast live in over 60 countries.
The launch of Arc Races, a series of the most important races in the French programme, aims to raise the profile of this more-than-one-hundred-year-old challenge that attracts the best horses from the world’s greatest racing nations, particularly among the French public.
The Arc races, which will grow and strengthen with every renewal, will give new racing enthusiasts and the general public a better understanding of the important stepping stones that lead to the major event. They are part of France Galop President Guillaume de Saint-Seine’s ambition to put racing back at the heart of French culture.
A selection of the most important French races
For 2025, the Arc Races will include the best of the racing programme in France. Victory in one of these 8 races will allow the horse’s connections to start dreaming of winning the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe :
· Qatar Prix du Jockey Club (Sunday, 1 June, Chantilly)
· Prix de Diane Longines (Sunday, 15 June, Chantilly)
· Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (29 June, Saint-Cloud)
· Grand Prix de Paris (Sunday, 13 July, ParisLongchamp)
· Sumbe Prix Jean Romanet (24 August, Deauville)
And the Qatar Arc Trials, Sunday, 7 September at ParisLongchamp :
· Qatar Prix Vermeille
· Qatar Prix Niel
· Qatar Prix Foy
At these major meetings, all spectators can enjoy the many attractions that have been put in place for these occasions, ensuring that these race days become a regular day out in the open air to be enjoyed by friends and family.
A Wildcard for the Arc and abolished entry fees for connections of the winners
Under the Arc Races format, there will be new incentives for connections of runners expected to line up for the Arc.
Winners of the Arc Races will be granted a Wildcard to run in the Arc, provided they meet the race conditions. If there are too many starters (Maximum of 24 starters), Arc Races winners will be given priority and will not be included in the elimination procedure.
France Galop will also refund their entry fees (€8,300), while horses that have not been entered will be given the opportunity of an entry window 15 days after the official closing date.
Once again this year, the winner of the Grand Prix de Paris will have entry fees for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe refunded, or will receive a free supplementary entry for the race.
And for those who haven’t earned a Wildcard come September, the Qatar Arc Trials offer an unprecedented opportunity to qualify!
1 month before the Arc – the last opportunity to secure your ticket!
On Sunday, 7 September, exactly one month before the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, winners of the three main trials on Arc Trials day (Qatar Prix Vermeille, Qatar Prix Niel and Qatar Prix Foy) will automatically receive their Wildcard to run in the Arc.
Winners of the Arc trial races will have their entry fees refunded. More importantly, if they don’t have an entry in the Arc, they will receive a free supplementary entry worth €120 000.
Qatar Arc Trials – A taste of the Arc for spectators
On Sunday, 7 September, the public will be cheering the horses out on the track! The countdown has moved up a notch, giving spectators a glimpse of what to expect with a Qatar Arc Trials day filled with intense excitement. It will be the first time that the event takes place exactly four weeks before the Arc, making it the most important trial day for the Arc. The trials will be supported by the Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp, which is now worth €800 000.
This day will be a true dress rehearsal for the « Thoroughbred World Cup », combining high-class sport with a thrilling atmosphere in the stands. In the corridors of ParisLongchamp racecourse, many attractions and surprises await the public, ensuring an unmissable event for any sports fan and racing enthusiasts.
Denouement on Sunday, 5 October at ParisLongchamp
The 104th renewal of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe takes place on Sunday, 5 October at ParisLongchamp racecourse. This year, the event will be even more interesting thanks to an exceptional programme, which is sure to enhance the festive atmosphere.
On 5 October, enjoy one of the greatest sporting events on the planet! The legendary Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is back at ParisLongchamp for an unforgettable day.
The official ticket office is now open on the France Galop website: book your ticket HERE
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
France Galop, organiser of Arc Races
France Galop is an association with a public service mission. It organises and regulates horse racing in France with the aim of improving the racehorse breed of both flat and jump horses by promoting the breeding industry and training of racehorses. It operates under the authority of the Ministry of Agriculture, Budget and Interior. Its main mission is: to organise French racing’s fixture list, ensure the smooth running of racing, lead the fight against doping, help to ensure the welfare of racehorses, run the operations of the five most important racecourses (Auteuil, Chantilly, Deauville, ParisLongchamp and Saint-Cloud), and organise major events at these venues, including the Prix de Diane Longines, the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris and the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
How to enter a horse in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe ?
It is impossible to improvise when you want to run in the world’s greatest race. Entering the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe follows a specific format including several key dates.
- Wednesday 14 May – First entry stage (closes at 10h30)
This is the first major date for owners. At this time, and at a cost of 8 300 €, they will enter horses who have already proven their potential.
They make up the first list of potential runners… and at this stage the list can contain more than hundred horses! However, only the best ones will be on the list at the end, depending on their achievements, especially in the Arc Races.
- One week before the Arc, from Monday, 29 September – confirmation of entries
A week before the Arc, trainers have to confirm their intention whether to run or not.
Only the most promising horses will still be on the list.
The others have « forfeited » their right to run (1st forfeit on Monday and 2nd forfeit on Tuesday). Horses that have been removed from the list will run in other races more suited to the level of their ability.
- Wednesday 1 October – Supplementary stage (before 11h30)
Bombshell moment with 5 days to go: there is still time to enter your horse, but this last-minute entry will cost €120 000!
This supplementary entry stage is for horses that have revealed their potential late in the season and suggests a lot of confidence in the horse’s ability to compete against the best horses.
Good news: thanks to the Wildcards in the series of Arc Races, some horses will earn their ticket for the Arc without having to go through the supplementary entry stage.
- Thursday 2 October – Official list of starters (at 10h30)
The final countdown has begun. The official list of starters will be announced, together with their riders and their starting-gate numbers, which will be allocated by an official draw.
The starting gates for the 2400m Arc will open on Sunday, 5 October at ParisLongchamp, and just a touch over 2 minutes later, a champion will be crowned on the track.
What do you win when you are first past the post in the Arc ?
The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is worth a record €5 million, which is distributed amongst the first five finishers:
1st : 2 857 000 €
2nd : 1 143 000 €
3rd : 571 500 €
4th : 285 500 €
5th : 143 000 €
The horse’s earnings are distributed to its connections:
- 76,75 % for the owner or owners
- 14,75 % for the trainer, including 4% for the stable staff
- 8,5 % for the jockey
And seeing that breeding is at the heart of the racing industry, the breeder of horses born and bred in France is also recognised:
- 135 000 € for 1st
- 54 000 € for 2nd
- 27 000 € for 3rd
- 13 500 € for 4th
- 6 750 € for 5rh