The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe returns to the ParisLongchamp Racecourse after an incredible €130 million renovation by architect Dominique Perrault. The ParisLongchamp Racecourse has a long history dating back to 1857 when the very first race took place on the grounds. Over the years many events have taken place, yet the most important has always been the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, now in its 98thyear. This is the world’s most competitive race over a distance 2,400 meters putting the world’s best thoroughbreds to a test of speed and stamina. The record for the fastest wining time of 2’24’’49 was recorded by German Danedream with an average speed of 60 km/hr at the ParisLongchamp track in 2011.
Race weekend begin this Saturday October 6thwith eight races and continues on Sunday with eight more races leading onto the main event with a purse of €5 million, making this the world’s richest flat race on turf. This year’s favorites include Sea of Class, winner at the Yorkshire Oaks, last year’s winner and the second horse since 1978 to win a successive running Enable followed by Crystal Ocean, Lah Ti Dar and Cracksman. Overall a total of €9.7 million will be distributed as prize money in the 16 races of the weekend that will certainly delight the 60,000 spectators present. The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is the world’s premier race for the second year according to the global rankings of the Longines World’s Best Horse Race.