Popularly referred to as the "Arc", it is the world's most prestigious all-aged horse race. Its roll of honour features many highly acclaimed horses, and its winners are often subsequently regarded as champions. It is currently the world's seventh-richest turf race and tenth richest horse race on any surface, with a purse of €5,000,000.[2] Over 60,000 visitors attend the "Arc"-Weekend every year and the race itself is broadcast live to 50 countries all over the globe.
A slogan of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, first used on a promotional poster in 2003, describes the event as "Ce n'est pas une course, c'est un monument" – "It's not a race, it's a monument". The Prix is sponsored by Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, as part of Qatar's international soft power policy.[3][4]
The Société d'Encouragement, a former governing body of French racing, had initially restricted its races to thoroughbreds born and bred in France. In 1863, it launched the Grand Prix de Paris, an event designed to bring together the best three-year-olds from any country. Thirty years later it introduced the Prix du Conseil Municipal, an international race for the leading horses of different age groups. It was run over 2,400 metres in October, with weights determined by a horse's previous performances.
The creation of a third such race was proposed at a committee meeting on 24 January 1920. The new event would complement the Grand Prix de Paris and serve as a showcase for French thoroughbred breeding. It would have similar characteristics to the Prix du Conseil Municipal, but each horse would compete on equal terms, unpenalised for previous victories.
Coming in the wake of World War I, it was decided that the race would be named after the Arc de Triomphe, a famous monument which had been the scene of a victory parade by the Allies in 1919. The chosen title had been previously assigned to a minor event at Longchamp. Another suggested title was the "Prix de la Victoire".
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe was first run on Sunday 3 October 1920. The inaugural running was won by Comrade, a three-year-old colt owned by Evremond de Saint-Alary. The winner's prize was 150,000 francs.
In 1935, the event secured state funding by the means of a lottery, which awarded prizes according to the race result and the drawing of lots. The system was first used in 1936, and it continued until 1938. The "Arc" was cancelled twice during World War II, in 1939 and 1940. It was run at Le Tremblay with a distance of 2,300 metres in 1943 and 1944.
Government funding of the race resumed in 1949, with money obtained through the Loterie Nationale. Offering an attractive jackpot of 50 million francs, this enabled a rapid increase of the prizes for both the "Arc" and its supporting races. By the 1970s, however, the assistance of the lottery had diminished, and the system was finally discontinued after the 1982 running. Since then the "Arc" has had several sponsors, including Trusthouse Forte, CIGA Hotels and Groupe Lucien Barrière.
The present sponsor of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) as part of Qatar's international soft power policy.[3][4] The sponsorship agreement was signed in Doha in 2008, and as a result the prize fund was doubled from €2 million to €4 million. Now, the prize for the Arc is worth €5 000 000 which makes it the richest flat race on turf.[5] Arc Weekend now includes seven races classed at Group 1 level, and four with Group 2 status. It also features the Arabian World Cup, the world's richest race for purebred Arabian horses with €1 000 000 prize-money.
a Cadum finished first in 1925, but he was relegated to second place for hampering Priori.
bc The 1943 and 1944 editions were run at Le Tremblay over 2,300 metres.
d Midnight Sun dead-heated for first in 1959, but he was placed second for hampering Saint Crespin.
e Sagace finished first in 1985, but he was demoted to second for bumping Rainbow Quest.
f The 2016 and 2017 runnings took place at Chantilly while Longchamp was closed for redevelopment.
Analysis
Wins by country foaled
1. France – 47 wins
Ksar (1921, 1922), Massine (1924), Priori (1925), Biribi (1926), Mon Talisman (1927), Kantar (1928), Motrico (1930, 1932), Pearl Cap (1931), Brantôme (1934), Samos (1935), Corrida (1936, 1937), Eclair au Chocolat (1938), Le Pacha (1941), Djebel (1942), Verso II (1943), Ardan (1944), Nikellora (1945), Caracalla (1946), Le Paillon (1947), Coronation (1949), Tantieme (1950, 1951), La Sorellina (1953), Sica Boy (1954), Oroso (1957), Puissant Chef (1960), Soltikoff (1962), Exbury (1963), Sea Bird (1965), Bon Mot (1966), Topyo (1967), Sassafras (1970), Three Troikas (1979), Detroit (1980), Gold River (1981), All Along (1983), Sagace (1984), Subotica (1992), Helissio (1996), Sagamix (1998), Bago (2004), Treve (2013, 2014), Sottsass (2020),
2. Ireland – 20 wins
Parth (1923), Migoli (1948), Vaguely Noble (1968), Levmoss (1969), Rheingold (1973), Star Appeal (1975), Tony Bin (1988), Carroll House (1989), Carnegie (1994), Montjeu (1999), Sinndar (2000), Marienbard (2002), Dalakhani (2003), Hurricane Run (2005), Dylan Thomas (2007), Zarkava (2008), Sea the Stars (2009), Solemia (2012), Found (2016), Ace Impact (2023)
Pearl Cap (1931), Samos (1935), Nikellora (1945), Coronation (1949), La Sorellina (1953), San San (1972), Three Troikas (1979), Detroit (1980), Akiyda (1982), Zarkava (2008), Danedream (2011), Treve (2013), Enable (2017)
4. Four-year-old fillies – 11 wins
Corrida (1936), Allez France (1974), Ivanjica (1976), Gold River (1981), All Along (1983), Urban Sea (1993), Solemia (2012), Treve (2014), Found (2016), Enable (2018), Bluestocking (2024)
4. Five-year-old-plus horses – 8 wins
Motrico (1930, 1932), Djebel (1942), Le Paillon (1947), Star Appeal (1975), Tony Bin (1988), Marienbard (2002), Waldgeist (2019)
6. Five-year-old-plus mares – 2 wins
Corrida (1937), Alpinista (2022)
Winner's previous race
(includes winners since 1970; horse won race unless stated)
