QATAR PRIX DE L`ARC DE TRIOMPHE

QATAR PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE • October, Saturday 6 th - Sunday 7 th 2012
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Start of Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe 2011.
On Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th October 2012, at Longchamp racecourse, racing fans, horse lovers
and all who appreciate great sporting moments, will gather to watch the 91st renewal
of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the undisputed highlight of the racing season.
QATAR PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOM PHE • October, Saturday 6 th - Sunday 7 th 2012
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T
he weekend’s racing programme is celebrated far beyond France’s borders. This is not surprising,
since the English Thoroughbred Championships and the world’s richest Purebred Arabian race are
held concurrently. The cards on Saturday and Sunday feature 17 Flat races, including the exceptional
total of 13 Group races, which are used to determine the level of excellence of horse racing around the
world. There are seven Group 1 races and four Group 2 races for thoroughbreds, while there are two Group 1
races for Purebred Arabians. Total prize-money distributed over the weekend is a record 7.2 Million Euros. Of
that sum, 4 Million Euros alone is reserved for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, which lends its name to the
entire weekend. The Qatar Arabian World Cup, which is open to Purebred Arabians, is worth 700.000 Euros.
The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is the feature event on Sunday, when one horse alone will join the legendary
roll-call of winners of this mythical mile-and-a-half race. Runners gather from all over the world in the hope of
adding their name to this prestigious list. It is a fabulous opportunity for spectators to watch the best horses of 2012,
ridden by the most talented jockeys, fight for the honours in a highly intensive race.
The best Thoroughbreds and the best jockeys.
QATAR PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE • October, Saturday 6 th - Sunday 7 th 2012
A presenter from the official Japanese Broadcaster holds a fan flag depicting Japan’s runners in the Arc.
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The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is the most anticipated equine event of the year! Its media coverage extends well beyond France’s borders
and into Europe, Asia, Africa, the United States and the Middle East. It is broadcast in as many as 30 countries and on 19 different channels; more
than a billion potential viewers will watch the race.
I
t is among sport’s most widely covered events by the world’s
media, not to mention the equestrian highlight of the year. On the
day, the tension rises with every race that brings the Qatar Prix de
l’Arc de Triomphe even-closer. The tension is almost unbearable
when the stalls finally open, and again when runners enter the final
straight. Cheers ring out from 60 000 spectators who are all encouraging the horse they backed, their fellow-countrymen, or simply their
favourite jockey or horse.
More than 500 international accredited journalists
France Galop, the event’s organiser, accredits more than 500 journalists every year. They are anxious to inhale every second of emotion
generated by this weekend of great sport. They venture to Paris from
all over the world and work for a multitude of media platforms –
among them television, radio, newspapers and magazines. The spread
of nationalities is diverse, including 80 British journalists, 70 from
Japan and healthy contingents from Germany, Spain and the United
States. Based in the official media centre provided by France Galop,
journalists can follow every moment of competition with ease before
sharing the experience with racing afficionados around the world.
Photographers and cameramen are two deep in the parade ring.
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The Japanese and the Arc
Once again, horses from Japan will contest the Qatar Prix de l’Arc
de Triomphe after ten failed attempts to date. And once again, punters
from the “Land of the Rising Sun” will be here to support their horses
with enthusiasm. It is a passion shared by the entire country, where
horse racing is among the most popular of “western” sports. So much
so that Japanese punters bet twice as much on horse racing as the
French.
Nakayama Festa, the Japanese horse who finished runner-up
in the 2010 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
This year, in an effort to win for the first time, connections of 2011
Japanese Horse of the Year Orfevre are hoping to secure the services
of Christophe Soumillon. The jockey has been champion jockey in
France four times (2003, 2005, 2006 and 2011) and boasts 1 879 career
victories to his name. A true phenomenon in Japan, Orfevre strives
to achieve still greater heights on behalf of a nation that considers the
Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe to be the jewel in horse racing’s
crown. The Orfevre/Soumillon alliance is likely to debut in the Prix
Foy, a prepratory race for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, which
is run on September 16.
QATAR PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE • October, Saturday 6 th - Sunday 7 th 2012
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For racing professionals it is the most important and most sought-after event of the year.
For a thoroughbred, winning the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe equates to joining the ranks of equine legends
who are recognised all over the world. The fiscal value of the winner rises to untold heights, after which an exceptional career as a stallion is assured.
O
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nly exceptional horses compete in this race. They arrive
in Paris after they have proved themselves by winning the
most prestigious events in France and abroad.
speed and stamina. It is a true test for horse and jockey, who will travel
at speeds of 60 km/h and who must deploy the right tactics and strategy to reach that hallowed winning post ahead of allcomers.
These thoroughbreds are aged three or older, when they are physically at the top of their form. They will compete over the classic racing
distance of one-and-a-half miles, which demands a combination of
Prize-money is commensurate with the elite challenge of winning the
Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. At 4 Million Euros, and thanks to a
long-term partnership with the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, it
is the richest race in Europe.
Danedream, ridden by Andrasch Starke, is a runaway winner at Longchamp in 2011.
QATAR PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOM PHE • October, Saturday 6 th - Sunday 7 th 2012
Two days before the event
Draw for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
O
n the morning of Friday, 5 October 2012, the final list of runners and their jockeys is declared – followed
immediately by the draw for stalls positions in the presence of the world’s media. The tension starts
rising from this moment as participants in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe contemplate their fortunes. A stall position close to the inside running rail confers an advantage over those drawn towards
the outside, which obliges horses to race over a slightly longer distance. Yet nothing is written in stone: since 1964,
when stalls were used for the first time, the winner has most often broken from stalls seven and two. Last year’s
winner, Danedraem, broke from the latter stall.
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QATAR PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOM PHE • October, Saturday 6 th - Sunday 7 th 2012
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The German filly Danedream, ridden by Andrasch Starke,
winner of the 2011 Arc.
If the Arc was a football match, every player would be called Zidane! Of the
11,000 thoroughbreds in training in France only some 200 have sufficient
quality to contest the 27 Group 1 races in the annual calendar. These Group
1 races showcase the highest level of racing excellence. Naturally, the Qatar
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is among them.
T
he equine champions who gather annually for the Qatar Prix
de l’Arc de Triomphe need not have competed frequently. From
springtime onwards, connections of a horse with Arc aspirations will decide how best to approach running in the big race.
They can choose from a variety of “classic prep races”, all of which lead
to racing over the Arc distance of a mile and a half. The last of these prep
races take place a few weeks before the Arc itself.
These “classic prep races” start in June with the Prix de Diane for threeyear-old fillies and the Prix du Jockey Club for three-year-old colts.
These are designed to establish the best horses of their age. The programme unfolds throughout the summer and traditionally culminates in
mid-September with the Qatar Prix Niel andr the Qatar Prix Vermeille,
which are run this year on the 16th. However, other options are available.
For example, connections of No Risk At All have chosen to send their
horse directly to the Arc 2012 following his victory in the Grand Prix de
Vichy on July 18.
Arc runners from abroad are often campaigned in their own country
before they descend on Paris. The German filly Danedream, winner of
the 2011 Arc, had won the Grosser Preis von Baden at the end of August.
English raiders often arrive at Longchamp on the back of a victory in
the Oaks (for three-year-old fillies) or the Derby (three-year-old colts),
as well as races like the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Ireland’s raiders traditionally arrive via the Irish Derby.
Japan’s contenders often arrive in France in July or August before continuing their preparation at Chantilly. This is France’s premier training
centre, managed by France Galop, and is dedicated entirely to training
racehorses. The participation of Japan’s horses in the Arc mirrors that
of their French counterparts: they will usually tale in the prep races at
Longchamp in September.
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Chantilly, the place where Arc
champions are revealed
T
he training centre sat Chantilly is
synonymous with the Prix de l’Arc
de Triomphe. So much so that thoroughbreds trained at the world’s
biggest training centre, which houses 3 000
horses during the year, invariably deliver fabulous performances. Of the last 55 Prix de l’Arc
de Triomphe renewals between 1956 and 2011,
33 were won by horses trained at Chantilly.
This is an exceptional success rate: in six out of
ten years, the Arc winner has been prepared on
the training tracks of Chantilly.
Horses in training on the tracks at Chantilly.
QATAR PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE • October, Saturday 6 th - Sunday 7 th 2012
Highlights of previous renewals:
2011: Danedream smashes
the Arc record
T
he winner of the 2011 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe covered the mile-and-a-half distance in 2 mins 24.46 secs, in
the process smashing the previous record of 2 mins 24.60
secs set by Peintre Célèbre in 1997. The filly Danedream,
who won the race by a wide margin, was bought for only 9.000 Euros
as a two-year-old by Helmut Volz and his son Heiko, who own a stud
in Germany.
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horse: Danedream Jockey: Andrasch Starke Trainer: Peter Schiergen owners: B. Eberstein et t. Yoshida
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2010: The Epsom Derby winner
shines at Longchamp
T
he Sir Michael Stoute-trained British raider Workforce, winner of the 2010 Derby at Epsom, gave his
owner Prince Khalid Abdullah and his breeding operation Juddmonte Farms a fourth victory in the
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Workforce beat the Japanese raider Nakayama Festa by a short head after
a fierce battle in the straight that was witnessed by thousands of Japanese fans who travelled to Paris
for the occasion.
horse: workforce Jockey: Ryan L.Moore trainer: Sir Michael Stoute owner: Khalid Abdullah
Highlights of previous renewals
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2009: 16 years after his dam, Sea The Stars follows
her hoofprints and wins the Arc
S
ea The Stars inherited all the right qualities from his dam when he lifted the most coveted race of the season 16 years after Urban Sea won the 1993 renewal. Sea The Stars won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
to cap a fabulous season, during which he remained unbeaten. In that year he won five Group 1 races,
which are designated championship events, including the 2000 Guineas, the Derby, the Eclipse Stakes, the
International Stakes and the Irish Champion Stakes.
horse: Sea The Stars Jockey: Michael Kinane trainer: John Oxx owner: Christopher Tsui
Highlights of previous renewals
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2008: The grand finale of Queen Zarkava
Z
arkava is forever etched in the memory of all horse racing lovers. The filly, bred by H.H. The Aga Khan
Studs ran seven times in her career and was never beaten. After winning the Prix de Diane by beating
the best three-year-old fillies, Zarkava was opposed for the first time not just by three-year-old colts
but also older horses, which are considered in the prime of their lives. It is never easy for a filly to beat
colts but Zarkava was sublime in dominating her opponents. Her seventh victory was the most impressive and she
retired to stud after a racing career without blemish.
horse: zarkava Jockey: Christophe Soumillon trainer: Alain de Royer Dupré owner: S.A. Aga Khan
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T
he Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club chose horse racing as
the platform for its first investment in sport in France. In 2007
France Galop, organiser of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, signed a partnership deal with the Qatar Racing and Equestrian
Club (QREC). The club’s objective is to develop and promote both Purebred Arabian and thoroughbred racing, which it does on an international
level as well as domestically, at Al Rayyan racecourse. It also organises
Arabian shows, which are very popular in Qatar.
Initially the agreement ran from 2008 to 2012. However, following the success of the first two runnings of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, and
without waiting for the agreement to run its course, the QREC decided in
2010 to commit to a long-term partnership by renewing its association with
the most important equine event of the year until 2022.
Thanks to the partnership with the QREC, prize-money for the Qatar Prix
de l’Arc de Triomphe stands at 4 Million Euros. This makes it the richest
race in Europe and sets an international benchmark in horse racing. The
agreement will see a progressive growth in prize-money, which will reach
5.3 Million Euros from 2018 onwards.
In total, prize-money over the two racing days stands at a record 7.9 Million Euros. This reflects the vibrancy of a sporting weekend that will see
17 races run at Longchamp racecourse.
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Qatar Arabian World Cup
T
he Qatar Arabian World Cup, the
richest race for Purebred Arabians
and run on turf, will take place during
the Arc weekend. Worth 500 000
Euros in 2011, prize-money this year rises to
700 000 Euros for the participants. The race,
run on Sunday, will crown the best Purebred
Arabian racehorse. The most prestigious Purebred Arabian racing stables will congragate at
Longchamp in their quest to win the race, which
is sponsored by Qatar Petroleum. The commitment of Qatar, alongside France Galop, clearly
illustrates the cultural passion for horse racing
in that country, whose history is closely linked
to the Purebred. In fact, the Purebred Arabian
is the originator of the Thoroughbred. As the
18th century became the 19 th, English mares were
crossed with Arabian stallions that were imported from the Middle East. The result is what
is today known as the English Thoroughbred.
Al Rayyan racecourse (Qatar).
Areej, winner of the fourth renewal of the Qatar Arabian World Cup in 2011.
QATAR PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE • October, Saturday 6 th - Sunday 7 th 2012
2011: Areej
A
reej defied every forecast. While experts
advanced Jaafer ASF, from Al Shahania
Stud, as the horse to beat, it was Areej, one
of the only two fillies in the race, who created a bit of an upset in winning the fourth renewal of the
Qatar Arabian World Cup. Al Shahania stables monopolised the podium by filling the first three places. What
a fabulous feat!
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Jockey: Neil Callan
trainer: Julian Smart
owner: H.H Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani
2010: General
G
eneral successfully defended the title he won
12 months previously. Winner of the 2009
renewal, General was eager to do it again.
He showed tremendous courage in the home
straight, and after battling all the way to the line, he maintained his advantage by the smallest or margins – which
in the end was just his nose. What a race!
Jockey: Olivier Peslier
trainer: Alban de Mieulle
owner: H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani
2009: General
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f not you, who better than your brother? In winning
the second renewal of the Qatar Arabian World
Cup, General had to better his big sister, Al Dahma.
Although she was favourite following her success
over General in their last meeting in Qatar, Al Dahma
was obliged to accept defeat at Longchamp. It was an
inspiring act of revenge by her younger brother.
Jockey: Arnaud Bouleau
trainer: Alban de Mieulle
owner: H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani
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2008: Lahib
v
oted best three-year-old Purebred Arabian
in France in 2007, Lahib confirmed his superiority in 2008 by beating horses of all
ages. He prevailed in a particularly tight
finish involving five horses and a final two furlongs run
in a fast time. This magnificent and talented horse thus
made history in becoming the inaugural winner of the
Qatar Arabian World Cup.
Jockey: François-Xavier Bertras
trainer: François Rohaut
owner: H.H. Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
QATAR PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE • October, Saturday 6 th - Sunday 7 th 2012
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The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is not just a horse race, it is a glamorous and festive occasion. At a time where hats are back in universal
fashion, racecourses are increasingly the place to show off the latest
creations. The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe lends an opportunity
to display elegance, beauty and eccentricity – much to the delight of
everyone present.
France Galop,
organiser of
the Qatar Prix de
l’Arc de Triomphe
France Galop is renowned for organising major
racing events of international standing. Among
them the Prix de Diane Longines and the Prix
du Jockey-Club at Chantilly, the Gras Savoye
Grand Steeple Chase de Paris at Auteuil, the
Summer Meeting Lucien Barrière, and naturally, the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at
Longchamp.
France Galop is an association presided by
Bertrand Bélinguier, whose missive is to encourage the breeding and training of Flat and jump
horses to constantly improve the breed. The
Institution obtains its revenues from betting on
horse racing, collected via the PMU, which is
jointly owned by France Galop and its trotting
counterpart, Cheval Français.
The best horses are established via a racing
programme of more than 7.000 races a year,
published by France Galop. Breeders, trainers,
owners and jockeys of placed horses share out
the prize-money and premiums. France Galop
is the privileged representative of a racing industry that includes more than 76.000 people.
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Saturday, October 6
Prix Qatar Racing
& Equestrian Club
For three-year-old colts, geldings and fillies
1.600 m - Divided handicap (1st division) - Support race
Total prize-money: 60.000 € (28.200 € to the winner)
Qatar Prix Chaudenay
For three-year-old colts, geldings and fillies
3.000 m - Group 2
Total prize-money: 200.000 € (114.00 € to the winner)
Qatar Total Arabian Trophy
des Juments
For Purebred Arabian four-year-old fillies only
2.000 m - Group 1
Total prize-money: 150.000 € (75.000 € to the winner)
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Qatar Prix de Royallieu
For three-year-olds and up, fillies and mares only
2.500 m - Group 2
Total prize-money: 250.000 € (142.500 € to the winner)
Qatar Prix Dollar
For three-year-olds and up
1.950 m - Group 2
Total prize-money: 200.000€ (114.000€ to the winner)
Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein
For three-year-olds and up
1.600 m - Group 2
Total prize-money: 200.000 € (114.000 € to the winner)
Prix Barzan
For three-year-olds only
1.600 m - Divided handicap (2nd division)
Total prize-money: 30.000 € (15.000 € to the winner)
Prix Horse Racing Abroad
For two-year-olds only
1.600 m - Claiming race
Total prize-money: 27.000 € (13.500 € to the winner)
Sunday, October 7
Qatar Grand handicap
de Longchamp
For three-year-olds and up
2.400 m - Divided handicap (1st division) – Support race
Total prize-money: 70.000 € (32.900 € to the winner)
Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (Grand
Critérium) sponsored by Al Emadi Entreprises
For two-year-old colts and fillies only
1.400 m - Group 1
Total prize-money: 350.000 € (199.990 € to the winner)
Total Prix Marcel Boussac –
Critérium des Pouliches
For two-year-old fillies only
1.600 m - Group 1
Total prize-money: 300.000 € (171.420 € to the winner)
Qatar Prix de l’Abbaye
de Longchamp
For two-year-olds and up
1.000 m - Group 1
Total prize-money: 350.000 € (199.000 € to the winner)
Prix de l’Opéra Longines
For three-year-olds and up, fillies and mares only
2.000 m - Group 1
Total prize-money: 400.000 € (228.560 € to the winner)
Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
For three-year-olds and up, colts, fillies and mares only
2.400 m - Group 1
Total prize-money: 4.000.000 € (2.285.600 € to the winner)
Qatar Arabian World Cup
Sponsored by Qatar Petroleum
For Purebred Arabian four-year-olds and up
2.000 m - Group 1
Total prize-money: 700.000 € (350.000 € to the winner)
Qatar Prix du Cadran
For four-year-olds and up
4.000 m - Group 1
Total prize-money: 300.000€ (171.420€ to the winner)
Qatar Prix de la Forêt
For three-year-olds and up
1.400 m - Group 1
Total prize-money: 300.000 € (171.420€ to the winner)
Longchamp Racecourse
Route des Tribunes, Bois de Boulogne, 75016 Paris.
TIMES
Racecourse gates open at 11:00
Saturday - Proceedings starts at 13.30 p.m.
Sunday - Proceedings starts at 13.30 p.m.
91th Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe : around 16.00 p.m.
Admission
Entry:
4 € on Saturday - 8 € on Sunday.
Half-price for over 60s and students.
Free admission for under-18s, members of the French Equestrian
Federation and for ladies wearing hats.
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Infield is free.
Racecourse Access
Free Shuttle buses (since 11 a.m.)
Shuttles from the Porte d’Auteuil, in front of the train station,
Place de la Porte Maillot, outside the Square Alexandre and René
Parodi, – Bus stop 244
Pont de Sèvres, in front of the bus station.
TAXIS
taxi stands outside the gates
cars
Parking is free in the Longchamp infield (Porte de Passy entrance)
Motorbikes
must be parked in the infield (Porte de Passy entrance)
France Galop Press Contacts: [email protected]
Julien Pescatore : +33 1 49 10 23 10 [email protected] Héléna Dupuy +33 1 49 10 22 10 [email protected]
Eva Durao +33 1 49 10 22 03 [email protected]
qrec Press Contact: Patricia Musial : + 974 4419 7632 / + 974 5553 6839 / + 33 6 84 57 42 94 [email protected]