Enable storms to victory in last year’s edition, in this file photo.
Doha: The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is set to arrive at Paris Longchamp within a few days and specifically on October 7, with world’s best entries ready to vie for top honours.
The annual event has been Qatar-sponsored since 2008 and held with an associated range of other events over four days under the agreement between the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) and France Galop.
The mega-event captures the attention of the world’s top horse owners, trainers and jockeys. As a highlight of the world’s horseracing calendar, the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe attracts thousands of racegoers as well as millions of TV viewers worldwide.
QREC is well prepared for this year’s renewal, which will see several events between October 4 to 7, commencing with the Arqana Purebred Arabian Sale at Le Manege, Saint Cloud Racecourse, on October 4.
On the following day, the scene will remain at Saint Cloud Racecourse, which will play host for a race day, including two races for pure Arabians with several runners for Qatari owners, who have been familiar with victories at Saint Cloud.
A large number of races are set to take place at Paris Longchamp on October 6 and 7.
After two years of redevelopment, the iconic Parisian racecourse is back to be the home for one of the world’s most famous horse races; the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, which was held at Chantilly in 2016 and 2017.
The most important and coveted races in the card are the Qatar Arabian World Cup (Gr1/PA) and the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Gr1).
Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi, QREC Chairman, spoke about the eagerly-awaited event: “We have clear-cut objectives through the international racing events, which we sponsor overseas, including the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triumphe.”
“We, at QREC, value these events as they promote Qatar and its equestrian sport at high-profile international gatherings, which receive intensive coverage, bringing numerous gains for Qatar in general and its equestrian sport in particular,” he added.
“Through the QREC-sponsored events and festivals, we are committed to highlighting and promoting Arabian racing worldwide and stressing its presence in such international gatherings. This is a main part of supporting the Arabian breed, which is closely associated with our local heritage and is based on QREC’s vision to promote Qatar as a leader in the pure Arabian breed,” Al Mohannadi said. “Qatar’s horses participate actively in the international races we sponsor overseas. Several memorable successes were realised in the previous years, including Al Shaqab Racing-owned Treve’s stunning victories in the 2013 and 2014 editions of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
“In addition, Qatar excelled and dominated the previous editions of the Qatar Arabian World Cup as the title was landed several times by horses owned by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani and Al Al Shaqab Racing,” he said.
