Successful renewal of the 103rd Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe

31 500 fans fill the ParisLongchamp stand

Last weekend, 31 500 spectators from around the world came to ParisLongchamp to attend the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe meeting, the pinnacle event of the flat racing calendar. On Sunday, 22 500 fans came to witness the undisputed highlight of the event, the 103rd renewal of the legendary Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
The race was won by the British filly Bluestocking, trained by Beckett and ridden in the colours of Juddmonte Farms by young Irish jockey Rossa Ryan. Their triumph was celebrated with a standing ovation by the many British fans who sang along to the national anthem as it was played over the racecourse.

VIDEO- See the after-movie of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe : HERE

Several celebrities watched the race

Following the running of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the prize-giving ceremony took place on the podium on the track. The trophies were presented by HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani,  in the presence of HSH Albert II of Monaco, France Galop President Guillaume de Saint-Seine and Managing Director Elie Hennau.

Another podium caught the spectator’s attention when former San Antonio Spurs basketball champion Tony Parker celebrated the victory of his filly Ramatuelle in the Qatar Prix de La Forêt.

Many other personalities from the worlds of sport, media and entertainment business were also present. They included TV presenters Xavier de Moulins, Denis Brogniart,  Carine Galli, Nicolas Canteloup and Julian Bugier, actors Elsa Zylbertein, Arnaud Ducret and Franck Dubosc, as well as singers Joyce Jonathan and M. Pokora.

Athletes had also come to the ParisLongchamp racecourse, including Rugby 7 players and Olympic champions Andy Timo, Antoine Zeghdar and Jordan Sepho ; LOSC coach Bruno Genesio, Karim Laghouag, Team eventing Olympic silver medallist, Vladimir Vinchon, who came 5th in the individual para-dressage event, Corentin Pottier, who finished 6th in the team para-dressage event, as well as Mathieu Grébille and Luc Steins, PSG handballers.
 

Increase of wagering

French and international punters turned out in force for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Compared to 2023, total PMU wagers over the weekend were up by 2,5% at €33.6 Million. A total of €20,8 Million was wagered in France, an increase of 5,8%.

International bettors wagered €24.9 Million through the Hong Kong Jocky Club operated world pool and Japanese bettors wagered €28,6 Million in a separate pool just on the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Overall, total PMU wagers for the day came to €39.2 Million, up by 3,5% compared to 2023.
 

Large scale festivities at ParisLongchamp

The France Galop teams needed several days to deck out the entire racecourse in the colours of the event. Fabulous photo backdrops, inspired by the famous Arc de Triomphe, could be found in the corridors of the racecourse.  

Recording of the history of the Arc greeted spectators as they made their way from the carpark via the tunnel to the stand. Also, for several weeks the track had undergone extensive preparations and 80 ground staff had been deployed over the weekend to work on the track alone.

For this event, which is the most important event of the year, more than 3500 people were working on the track to welcome the public as well as the horses.  

A full program of events was staged for this major Flat racing occasion. Horse demonstrations by Equestrian master Mario Luraschi took place among the spectators. The presence of the Garde Républicaine, a brass band and the musical entertainment at the end of the day added to the joyous and friendly atmosphere. In addition to this program of events, jockeys were introduced in the parade ring and horses paraded to the start of the main event of the day.  

And not to forget the many different catering options available at the racecourse where more than 20 000 meals were served over the weekend, making the event a sporting, festive and gastronomic experience in equal measure !

An event omnipresent on the social media platforms @FranceGalop

On the @FranceGalop social media platforms, 3.2 Million posts were recorded over the weekend, with nearly 1.5 Million views of the videos and an average engagement rate of 3.6%. Japanese-language videos broadcast on Sunday as part of the #QPATinside campaign alone accounted for 261 000 views.

By the way, in addition to broadcaster Denis Brogniart, who shared his experience behind the scenes at ParisLongchamp on the X account of @FranceGalop, 39 influencers, some with 1 Million followers, shared their experiences throughout the weekend.

An advertising campaign in Paris and in the metro

Two different posters were advertising the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe: one focused on the intensity of the sport and the other on the emotional thrill experienced by the public. Combining impact and selectivity of locations, for two weeks both visuals benefited from a large-scale poster campaign : more than 1000 billboards in the streets, metro, shopping centres, reaching more than 145 Million people. The outside wall of Racing’s headquarters, which is seen from the very busy Parisian Peripherique, was also advertising the event. 
 

A record number of international broadcasters

A record 38 international broadcasters, covering some sixty countries, broadcast the eagerly awaited Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe live from the ParisLongchamp racecourse. The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe audience has tripled over the last three years and is today broadcast by ITV and Sky Sports Racing in the United Kingdom, FOX Sports 1 in America, Dubaï Media International, Al Kass, beIN Sports and Al Rayyan in the Middle East and for the first time it was broadcast in Canada by Sportsnet.

In horse race loving nation Japan, a country represented in the Arc by Shin Emperor, the race was broadcast by Fuji TV, Abema TV and Green Channel.

In France, M6, BFM Paris and Equidia were broadcasting exceptional live programs of the event.

At ParisLongchamp, more than 300 journalists were accredited and welcomed in the media centre, a purpose-built facility for the event.  
 

A special welcome for racing’s key players

France Galop’s Owners and Racing Department had prepared a wide range of offers and invitations for racing’s key players, as well as for the people connected to the industry. In this context, over the weekend a huge temporary reception area in the Salon Ribot welcomed 1.700 guests for a cocktail lunch.

Here, in this elegant and refined setting, France Galop invited connections of runners to relax and mingle. Guests of the QREC (Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club), IFAH (International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities), the Haras de Bouquetot and Arqana were also received in the Salon Ribot.  

The distinguished atmosphere in the Salon, combining elegance and conviviality, was highlighted by a breathtaking view of the races, as it was as close as possible to the action, right next to the track. A brilliant meeting place for racing enthusiasts, the Salon Ribot was an ideal setting throughout the weekend.

What’s more, the Tribune de l’Arc was exclusively reserved for racing professionals and their guests.  
 

The Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club, partner of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) was established in the early 1960s. It is mandated with representing, promoting and advancing equine and equestrian initiatives, from grassroots programmes to the international arena.
Focused on equestrian sport and horse welfare, the QREC is dedicated to promoting Qatar as a world class hub for horse racing and a leader in the Pure Arabian breed. The QREC works in collaboration with local bodies dedicated to achieving excellence in planning, regulation and the development of Qatar’s racing industry to reflect the world's best practices.
 

France Galop, organiser of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
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 jumping, 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, run the operations of the five most important racecourses (Auteuil, Chantilly, Deauville, ParisLongchamp and Saint-Cloud), and organise major events, including the Prix de Diane Longines, the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris and the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at these venues.
 

Media Services
You can find press releases and the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe media guide in the media section : HERE
Link to photos free of rights : CLICK HERE