DOHA: A record prize-money of €7.2m will be up for grabs when the Total-backed Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe week kicks-off in the French capital on Saturday.
The ‘Arc’ is the world’s richest turf contest with a top prize of €4.8m.
The prize money for the winner is €2.74m while the second-placed rider walks off with €1.09m.
An amount of €548,000 is reserved for the third-placed rider.
The Qatar Arabian World Cup, which is open to Purebred Arabians, is worth a total of €700,000.
Total, the official partner of the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC), will be continuing their support for horse racing events in Qatar and in Paris, Stephane Michel, Managing Director at Total E&P Qatar, said.
“We are very proud to associate Total to such a prestigious event and to work with the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club,” Michel said in a statement.
“We are going to experiment an amazing weekend both in France and in Qatar. After the victory of Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani and his amazing horse Treve in the Qatar Prix Vermeille, I believe that Qatar has a chance to be part of the history of the most prestigious equestrian event in the world.
“Treve is one of the main contenders but I would also like as well to wish all the best to all the horses from Qatar participating in the ‘Arc’,” Michel added.
This week at Longchamp racecourse, racing fans, horse lovers and all who appreciate great sporting moments, will gather to watch the 92nd edition of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in the Longchamp racetrack.
The event is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres. The race track record, which was established by horse Danedream in 2011, is 2:24.46.
During the race, the horses can run at an average speed of 60km/h, and some horses reaching 67km/h.
The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe attracts all kinds of media from all over the world including newspapers, agencies, radio and television.
Around 600 journalists are accredited during this event and 60,000 spectators attend the Hippodrome de Longchamp to see the most exciting race of the year.
Popularly referred to as the ‘Arc’, it is one of Europe’s most prestigious horse races. Its roll of honour features many highly acclaimed horses and winners are often regarded as champions.
It is currently the world’s third richest turf race.
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