Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe set for historic 100th edition

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani, the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC)-sponsored 2021 edition of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is a historic one as it marks the 100th running of the world’s greatest horse race. This is an exceptional moment for all horse racing fans, who come in great numbers from all corners of the globe to attend a great festive weekend of racing at ParisLongchamp this Saturday and Sunday on October 2 and 3.
Princess Anne will be the guest of honour on the day. The daughter of Queen Elizabeth II will attend the meeting and present the trophy to the winning connections in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani and Edouard de Rothschild, president of France Galop.
The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe has a unique prestige, which is further enhanced by the new look ParisLongchamp racecourse: a veritable architectural jewel where to spend an afternoon, and which affords easy access between the paddock, the track and the grandstands. There are also plenty of outlets serving food and drink.
Now, more than ever, the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe will be an international occasion. This is also an unmissable edition as the level is an exceptional one – given the presence of the world’s best horses.
Adayar is the Epsom Derby winner and conqueror of Mishriff and Love in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes whereas Hurricane Lane is coming off a win in the St Leger the world’s oldest Classic, having previously won the Grand Prix de Paris over the same course and distance as the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Chrono Genesis and Deep Bond will attempt to give Japan a first victory in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, which is something Japanese racing fans have been coveting for 50 years.
Tarnawa boasts a devastating turn of foot and she wound up her 2020 campaign with a Group 1 hat-trick. She made a winning return in the Ballyroan Stakes in August, and recently finished an excellent second in the Irish Champion Stakes. Snowfall is a genuine champion and has already rattled off a rare treble: the Cazoo Oaks, the Juddmonte Irish Oaks and the Darley Yorkshire Oaks.
Germany’s Torquator Tasso is the hope of a great racing nation neighbouring France. He proved top in the German Derby as a three-year-old in the summer of 2020 and comes into the race off the back of a success in the Gr 1 Grosser Preis von Baden: a race which was used as springboard to Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe success in 2011 for the German filly Danedream.
The French will be there as well and the French challenge is spearheaded by Sealiway, the Qatar Prix du Jockey-Club second at Chantilly in June. The three-year-old colt is joined by Raabihah, Baby Rider and Bubble Gift in defending French chances.
As well as the feature race; namely, the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, 13 Group races are run over the weekend. Saturday features the Group 1 Prix du Cadran, which runs over the longest distance of the weekend - a hefty 4,000m, the Group 1 Prix de Royallieu over 2,800m for fillies and mares, as well as three coveted Group 2 races: the Qatar Prix Chaudenay, the Qatar Prix Dollar and the Qatar Prix Wildenstein.
Two Group 1 races for Purebred Arabians, the Qatar Arabian World Cup on Sunday and the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Juments on Saturday, highlight the Purebred Arabian breed on a world stage. This year’s Qatar Arabian World Cup features two former winners of the race; TAYF who won in 2020 and the 2019’s victor Ebraz who will be looking to regain his crown.
Purebred Arabian three-year-old colts and fillies will have their own respective share of the Group 1 contesting as well with the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Poulains and the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Pouliches. Both races will be run over 2,0000m at Saint Cloud on Friday, 1 October, in association with the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Weekend.
Sunday’s racing also features, alongside the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and the Qatar Arabian World Cup, two Group 1 races for two-year olds: the Qatar Marcel Boussac for fillies over 1,600m, and the Qatar Jean-Luc Lagardère for colts and fillies over 1,400m. The Group 1 extravaganza on Sunday also includes the Qatar Prix de la Foret over 1,400m; the Prix de l’Opèra Longines, which crowns the leading filly over the distance of 2,000m; and the Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp Longines for the sprinters over the shortest distance.
It is worth mentioning that both Qatar Airways and Longines are associated with QREC in sponsoring this historic 100th edition of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in continuation of the long-standing relations and co-operation between QREC and the two leading organisations.