Under the high patronage of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani, the 2021 edition of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, sponsored by the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC), is historic as it marks the 100th edition of the world championship. biggest horse race. This is an exceptional moment for all horse racing enthusiasts, many of whom have come from all over the world to attend a great festive weekend of races at ParisLongchamp this Saturday and Sunday, October 2 and 3.
Princess Anne will be the guest of honor of the day. The daughter of Queen Elizabeth II will attend the meeting and present the trophy to the winning connections of 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, further reinforced by the new look of the ParisLongchamp racecourse: a real architectural gem in which to spend an afternoon, and which allows easy access between the paddock, the track and the stands. There are also many outlets serving food and drink.
More than ever, the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe will be an international event. It is also an essential edition because the level is exceptional – given the presence of the best horses in the world.
Adayar is the winner of the Epsom Derby and the winner of Mishriff and Love in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes while Hurricane Lane comes off a victory in the St Leger, the oldest classic in the world, after winning the Grand Prix de Paris on 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 Japanese racing fans have coveted for 50 years.
Tarnawa is claiming a devastating kick and ended her 2020 campaign with a Group 1 hat-trick. She made a winning comeback in the Ballyroan Stakes in August, and recently finished an excellent runner-up in the Irish Champion Stakes. Snowfall is a true champion and has already clinched a rare treble: the Cazoo Oaks, Juddmonte Irish Oaks and Darley Yorkshire Oaks.
The German Torquator Tasso is the hope of a great racing nation neighboring France. He emerged at the top of the German Derby at the age of three in the summer of 2020 and entered the race after a success in the Gr 1 Grosser Preis von Baden: a race that served as a springboard for the Qatar Prix de Success at the Arc de Triomphe in 2011 for the German filly Danedream.
The French will also be there and the French challenge is carried 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 to defend the French chances.
As well as the feature run; namely, the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, 13 Group races are contested this weekend. On Saturday, the Prix du Cadran Group 1 takes place over the longest distance of the weekend – a heavy 4,000m, the Prix de Royallieu Group 1 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 Arabian thoroughbreds, the Qatar Arabian World Cup on Sunday and the Qatar Arabian Trophy for Mares on Saturday, highlight the purebred Arabian breed on the world stage. This year’s Qatar Arabian World Cup features two past race winners; TAYF who won in 2020 and 2019 winner Ebraz who will be looking to reclaim his crown.
Arabian three-year-old foals and fillies will have their respective share in Group 1 competing with the Qatar Arabian Trophy for Foals and the Qatar Arabian Trophy for Fillies. The two races will be contested over 2,000 m in Saint Cloud on Friday October 1, in association with the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend.
Sunday’s races also include, alongside the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and the Qatar Arabian World Cup, two Group 1 races for 2-year-olds: the Qatar Marcel Boussac for fillies over 1,600m, and the Qatar Jean-Luc Lagardère for foals and fillies over 1400m. The extravagance of Group 1 on Sunday also includes the Qatar Prix de la Forêt over 1400m; the Prix de l’Opèra Longines, which crowns the leading filly over the distance of 2000m; and the Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp Longines for the shortest distance sprinters.
It should be mentioned that Qatar Airways and Longines have partnered with QREC to sponsor this historic 100th edition of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, continuing the long-standing relationship and cooperation between QREC and the two main organizations.