With all the talk of Hong Kong or the Breeders Cup being the best meeting of the year perhaps we have over looked Arc day/weekend. Well it looks like there will be even more interest in the Arc after todays news....
Arc to be world's richest turf race as prize fund doubles
by Desmond Stoneham and Nicholas Godfrey
THE Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe will be the richest turf race in the world next year after a massive prize-money boost thanks to a new five-year sponsorship deal.
While Britain's flagship races, the Derby and the King George, are still searching for new sponsors along with the Irish Derby, Europe's most prestigious race will double in value in 2008 to E4 million (£2.86m) after France-Galop signed a contract with the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC).
At current exchange rates, this will make the Longchamp showpiece the second-richest race in the world after the Dubai World Cup, which was worth $6m (£3.06m/€4.5m) in 2007.
The Arc weekend will carry prize-money totalling €6.7 million as a result of the deal – although purists may blanch at the addition of ahandful of races for purebred Arabians, popular in Qatar, to the thoroughbred programme laden with Group 1s.
The Arc was the 11th-richest race in the world in 2007 – the £1.25m Derby is two places lower down the list – but next year it will leapfrog races like the Dubai Duty Free and Sheema Classic, Japan Cup and Breeders' Cup Classic, although this is partly down to the strength of the euro and exchange-rate variations.
The new deal can be regarded as a major coup for France-Galop, which faced a conundrum after losing long-term sponsors, the hotel and casinos group Lucien Barriere, after the 2007 renewal.
Under French law, France-Galop is barred from sponsorships linked with bookmakers, betting exchanges or alcohol.
Director Louis Romanet, who retires at the end of the year, was overjoyed to break the news.
“The Arc is already recognised worldwide as the best-quality race, which has the best ratings over the past five years,” he claimed.
“Thanks to this new partnership, itwill reach new heights and take first place among international sporting events in all disciplines.”
Qatar, a near-neighbour to Dubai in the Gulf, is making a determined bid to establish itself on the world stage, having already announced plans for its own £1 million race in 2008.
However, much of the nation's programme consists of Arab racing, and Arc weekend will now feature four such races – including the Qatar Arabian World Cup, worth €350,000 (£250,000) and said to be the richest Arabian racein the world.
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Faleh Al-Thani, vice-chairman of QREC, said: “I am extremely happy at this partnership with France-Galop. It is taking place at a time when Qatar, already recognised for the quality of its Arabian horseracing, is implementing an ambitious development programme for thoroughbred racing.”
The deal is set to run until 2012. In contrast, Epsom and Ascot are still seeking sponsors for the Derby and King George. Guaranteed prize-money for both races has been virtually static for five years. The Derby was worth £1.25m in 2007, which made it the 13th-richest race in the world, while the King George, Britain's weight-for-age championship, struggled to make the top 50, being worth £750,000.
Arc to be world's richest turf race as prize fund doubles
by Desmond Stoneham and Nicholas Godfrey
THE Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe will be the richest turf race in the world next year after a massive prize-money boost thanks to a new five-year sponsorship deal.
While Britain's flagship races, the Derby and the King George, are still searching for new sponsors along with the Irish Derby, Europe's most prestigious race will double in value in 2008 to E4 million (£2.86m) after France-Galop signed a contract with the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC).
At current exchange rates, this will make the Longchamp showpiece the second-richest race in the world after the Dubai World Cup, which was worth $6m (£3.06m/€4.5m) in 2007.
The Arc weekend will carry prize-money totalling €6.7 million as a result of the deal – although purists may blanch at the addition of ahandful of races for purebred Arabians, popular in Qatar, to the thoroughbred programme laden with Group 1s.
The Arc was the 11th-richest race in the world in 2007 – the £1.25m Derby is two places lower down the list – but next year it will leapfrog races like the Dubai Duty Free and Sheema Classic, Japan Cup and Breeders' Cup Classic, although this is partly down to the strength of the euro and exchange-rate variations.
The new deal can be regarded as a major coup for France-Galop, which faced a conundrum after losing long-term sponsors, the hotel and casinos group Lucien Barriere, after the 2007 renewal.
Under French law, France-Galop is barred from sponsorships linked with bookmakers, betting exchanges or alcohol.
Director Louis Romanet, who retires at the end of the year, was overjoyed to break the news.
“The Arc is already recognised worldwide as the best-quality race, which has the best ratings over the past five years,” he claimed.
“Thanks to this new partnership, itwill reach new heights and take first place among international sporting events in all disciplines.”
Qatar, a near-neighbour to Dubai in the Gulf, is making a determined bid to establish itself on the world stage, having already announced plans for its own £1 million race in 2008.
However, much of the nation's programme consists of Arab racing, and Arc weekend will now feature four such races – including the Qatar Arabian World Cup, worth €350,000 (£250,000) and said to be the richest Arabian racein the world.
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Faleh Al-Thani, vice-chairman of QREC, said: “I am extremely happy at this partnership with France-Galop. It is taking place at a time when Qatar, already recognised for the quality of its Arabian horseracing, is implementing an ambitious development programme for thoroughbred racing.”
The deal is set to run until 2012. In contrast, Epsom and Ascot are still seeking sponsors for the Derby and King George. Guaranteed prize-money for both races has been virtually static for five years. The Derby was worth £1.25m in 2007, which made it the 13th-richest race in the world, while the King George, Britain's weight-for-age championship, struggled to make the top 50, being worth £750,000.