QATAR PRIX DE L`ARC DE TRIOMPHE
Transcription
QATAR PRIX DE L`ARC DE TRIOMPHE
QATAR PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE • October, Saturday 6 th - Sunday 7 th 2012 02 Start of Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe 2011. On Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th October 2012, at Longchamp racecourse, racing fans, horse lovers and all who appreciate great sporting moments, will gather to watch the 91st renewal of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the undisputed highlight of the racing season. QATAR PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOM PHE • October, Saturday 6 th - Sunday 7 th 2012 03 T he weekend’s racing programme is celebrated far beyond France’s borders. This is not surprising, since the English Thoroughbred Championships and the world’s richest Purebred Arabian race are held concurrently. The cards on Saturday and Sunday feature 17 Flat races, including the exceptional total of 13 Group races, which are used to determine the level of excellence of horse racing around the world. There are seven Group 1 races and four Group 2 races for thoroughbreds, while there are two Group 1 races for Purebred Arabians. Total prize-money distributed over the weekend is a record 7.2 Million Euros. Of that sum, 4 Million Euros alone is reserved for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, which lends its name to the entire weekend. The Qatar Arabian World Cup, which is open to Purebred Arabians, is worth 700.000 Euros. The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is the feature event on Sunday, when one horse alone will join the legendary roll-call of winners of this mythical mile-and-a-half race. Runners gather from all over the world in the hope of adding their name to this prestigious list. It is a fabulous opportunity for spectators to watch the best horses of 2012, ridden by the most talented jockeys, fight for the honours in a highly intensive race. The best Thoroughbreds and the best jockeys. QATAR PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE • October, Saturday 6 th - Sunday 7 th 2012 A presenter from the official Japanese Broadcaster holds a fan flag depicting Japan’s runners in the Arc. 04 The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is the most anticipated equine event of the year! Its media coverage extends well beyond France’s borders and into Europe, Asia, Africa, the United States and the Middle East. It is broadcast in as many as 30 countries and on 19 different channels; more than a billion potential viewers will watch the race. I t is among sport’s most widely covered events by the world’s media, not to mention the equestrian highlight of the year. On the day, the tension rises with every race that brings the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe even-closer. The tension is almost unbearable when the stalls finally open, and again when runners enter the final straight. Cheers ring out from 60 000 spectators who are all encouraging the horse they backed, their fellow-countrymen, or simply their favourite jockey or horse. More than 500 international accredited journalists France Galop, the event’s organiser, accredits more than 500 journalists every year. They are anxious to inhale every second of emotion generated by this weekend of great sport. They venture to Paris from all over the world and work for a multitude of media platforms – among them television, radio, newspapers and magazines. The spread of nationalities is diverse, including 80 British journalists, 70 from Japan and healthy contingents from Germany, Spain and the United States. Based in the official media centre provided by France Galop, journalists can follow every moment of competition with ease before sharing the experience with racing afficionados around the world. Photographers and cameramen are two deep in the parade ring. 05 The Japanese and the Arc Once again, horses from Japan will contest the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe after ten failed attempts to date. And once again, punters from the “Land of the Rising Sun” will be here to support their horses with enthusiasm. It is a passion shared by the entire country, where horse racing is among the most popular of “western” sports. So much so that Japanese punters bet twice as much on horse racing as the French. Nakayama Festa, the Japanese horse who finished runner-up in the 2010 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. This year, in an effort to win for the first time, connections of 2011 Japanese Horse of the Year Orfevre are hoping to secure the services of Christophe Soumillon. The jockey has been champion jockey in France four times (2003, 2005, 2006 and 2011) and boasts 1 879 career victories to his name. A true phenomenon in Japan, Orfevre strives to achieve still greater heights on behalf of a nation that considers the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe to be the jewel in horse racing’s crown. The Orfevre/Soumillon alliance is likely to debut in the Prix Foy, a prepratory race for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, which is run on September 16. QATAR PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE • October, Saturday 6 th - Sunday 7 th 2012 21 For racing professionals it is the most important and most sought-after event of the year. For a thoroughbred, winning the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe equates to joining the ranks of equine legends who are recognised all over the world. The fiscal value of the winner rises to untold heights, after which an exceptional career as a stallion is assured. O 08 nly exceptional horses compete in this race. They arrive in Paris after they have proved themselves by winning the most prestigious events in France and abroad. speed and stamina. It is a true test for horse and jockey, who will travel at speeds of 60 km/h and who must deploy the right tactics and strategy to reach that hallowed winning post ahead of allcomers. These thoroughbreds are aged three or older, when they are physically at the top of their form. They will compete over the classic racing distance of one-and-a-half miles, which demands a combination of Prize-money is commensurate with the elite challenge of winning the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. At 4 Million Euros, and thanks to a long-term partnership with the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, it is the richest race in Europe. Danedream, ridden by Andrasch Starke, is a runaway winner at Longchamp in 2011. QATAR PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOM PHE • October, Saturday 6 th - Sunday 7 th 2012 Two days before the event Draw for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe O n the morning of Friday, 5 October 2012, the final list of runners and their jockeys is declared – followed immediately by the draw for stalls positions in the presence of the world’s media. The tension starts rising from this moment as participants in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe contemplate their fortunes. A stall position close to the inside running rail confers an advantage over those drawn towards the outside, which obliges horses to race over a slightly longer distance. Yet nothing is written in stone: since 1964, when stalls were used for the first time, the winner has most often broken from stalls seven and two. Last year’s winner, Danedraem, broke from the latter stall. 09 QATAR PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOM PHE • October, Saturday 6 th - Sunday 7 th 2012 10 The German filly Danedream, ridden by Andrasch Starke, winner of the 2011 Arc. If the Arc was a football match, every player would be called Zidane! Of the 11,000 thoroughbreds in training in France only some 200 have sufficient quality to contest the 27 Group 1 races in the annual calendar. These Group 1 races showcase the highest level of racing excellence. Naturally, the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is among them. T he equine champions who gather annually for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe need not have competed frequently. From springtime onwards, connections of a horse with Arc aspirations will decide how best to approach running in the big race. They can choose from a variety of “classic prep races”, all of which lead to racing over the Arc distance of a mile and a half. The last of these prep races take place a few weeks before the Arc itself. These “classic prep races” start in June with the Prix de Diane for threeyear-old fillies and the Prix du Jockey Club for three-year-old colts. These are designed to establish the best horses of their age. The programme unfolds throughout the summer and traditionally culminates in mid-September with the Qatar Prix Niel andr the Qatar Prix Vermeille, which are run this year on the 16th. However, other options are available. For example, connections of No Risk At All have chosen to send their horse directly to the Arc 2012 following his victory in the Grand Prix de Vichy on July 18. Arc runners from abroad are often campaigned in their own country before they descend on Paris. The German filly Danedream, winner of the 2011 Arc, had won the Grosser Preis von Baden at the end of August. English raiders often arrive at Longchamp on the back of a victory in the Oaks (for three-year-old fillies) or the Derby (three-year-old colts), as well as races like the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Ireland’s raiders traditionally arrive via the Irish Derby. Japan’s contenders often arrive in France in July or August before continuing their preparation at Chantilly. This is France’s premier training centre, managed by France Galop, and is dedicated entirely to training racehorses. The participation of Japan’s horses in the Arc mirrors that of their French counterparts: they will usually tale in the prep races at Longchamp in September. 11 Chantilly, the place where Arc champions are revealed T he training centre sat Chantilly is synonymous with the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. So much so that thoroughbreds trained at the world’s biggest training centre, which houses 3 000 horses during the year, invariably deliver fabulous performances. Of the last 55 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe renewals between 1956 and 2011, 33 were won by horses trained at Chantilly. This is an exceptional success rate: in six out of ten years, the Arc winner has been prepared on the training tracks of Chantilly. Horses in training on the tracks at Chantilly. QATAR PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE • October, Saturday 6 th - Sunday 7 th 2012 Highlights of previous renewals: 2011: Danedream smashes the Arc record T he winner of the 2011 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe covered the mile-and-a-half distance in 2 mins 24.46 secs, in the process smashing the previous record of 2 mins 24.60 secs set by Peintre Célèbre in 1997. The filly Danedream, who won the race by a wide margin, was bought for only 9.000 Euros as a two-year-old by Helmut Volz and his son Heiko, who own a stud in Germany. 12 horse: Danedream Jockey: Andrasch Starke Trainer: Peter Schiergen owners: B. Eberstein et t. Yoshida 13 2010: The Epsom Derby winner shines at Longchamp T he Sir Michael Stoute-trained British raider Workforce, winner of the 2010 Derby at Epsom, gave his owner Prince Khalid Abdullah and his breeding operation Juddmonte Farms a fourth victory in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Workforce beat the Japanese raider Nakayama Festa by a short head after a fierce battle in the straight that was witnessed by thousands of Japanese fans who travelled to Paris for the occasion. horse: workforce Jockey: Ryan L.Moore trainer: Sir Michael Stoute owner: Khalid Abdullah Highlights of previous renewals 14 2009: 16 years after his dam, Sea The Stars follows her hoofprints and wins the Arc S ea The Stars inherited all the right qualities from his dam when he lifted the most coveted race of the season 16 years after Urban Sea won the 1993 renewal. Sea The Stars won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe to cap a fabulous season, during which he remained unbeaten. In that year he won five Group 1 races, which are designated championship events, including the 2000 Guineas, the Derby, the Eclipse Stakes, the International Stakes and the Irish Champion Stakes. horse: Sea The Stars Jockey: Michael Kinane trainer: John Oxx owner: Christopher Tsui Highlights of previous renewals 15 2008: The grand finale of Queen Zarkava Z arkava is forever etched in the memory of all horse racing lovers. The filly, bred by H.H. The Aga Khan Studs ran seven times in her career and was never beaten. After winning the Prix de Diane by beating the best three-year-old fillies, Zarkava was opposed for the first time not just by three-year-old colts but also older horses, which are considered in the prime of their lives. It is never easy for a filly to beat colts but Zarkava was sublime in dominating her opponents. Her seventh victory was the most impressive and she retired to stud after a racing career without blemish. horse: zarkava Jockey: Christophe Soumillon trainer: Alain de Royer Dupré owner: S.A. Aga Khan 16 T he Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club chose horse racing as the platform for its first investment in sport in France. In 2007 France Galop, organiser of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, signed a partnership deal with the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC). The club’s objective is to develop and promote both Purebred Arabian and thoroughbred racing, which it does on an international level as well as domestically, at Al Rayyan racecourse. It also organises Arabian shows, which are very popular in Qatar. Initially the agreement ran from 2008 to 2012. However, following the success of the first two runnings of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, and without waiting for the agreement to run its course, the QREC decided in 2010 to commit to a long-term partnership by renewing its association with the most important equine event of the year until 2022. Thanks to the partnership with the QREC, prize-money for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe stands at 4 Million Euros. This makes it the richest race in Europe and sets an international benchmark in horse racing. The agreement will see a progressive growth in prize-money, which will reach 5.3 Million Euros from 2018 onwards. In total, prize-money over the two racing days stands at a record 7.9 Million Euros. This reflects the vibrancy of a sporting weekend that will see 17 races run at Longchamp racecourse. 17 Qatar Arabian World Cup T he Qatar Arabian World Cup, the richest race for Purebred Arabians and run on turf, will take place during the Arc weekend. Worth 500 000 Euros in 2011, prize-money this year rises to 700 000 Euros for the participants. The race, run on Sunday, will crown the best Purebred Arabian racehorse. The most prestigious Purebred Arabian racing stables will congragate at Longchamp in their quest to win the race, which is sponsored by Qatar Petroleum. The commitment of Qatar, alongside France Galop, clearly illustrates the cultural passion for horse racing in that country, whose history is closely linked to the Purebred. In fact, the Purebred Arabian is the originator of the Thoroughbred. As the 18th century became the 19 th, English mares were crossed with Arabian stallions that were imported from the Middle East. The result is what is today known as the English Thoroughbred. Al Rayyan racecourse (Qatar). Areej, winner of the fourth renewal of the Qatar Arabian World Cup in 2011. QATAR PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE • October, Saturday 6 th - Sunday 7 th 2012 2011: Areej A reej defied every forecast. While experts advanced Jaafer ASF, from Al Shahania Stud, as the horse to beat, it was Areej, one of the only two fillies in the race, who created a bit of an upset in winning the fourth renewal of the Qatar Arabian World Cup. Al Shahania stables monopolised the podium by filling the first three places. What a fabulous feat! 18 Jockey: Neil Callan trainer: Julian Smart owner: H.H Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani 2010: General G eneral successfully defended the title he won 12 months previously. Winner of the 2009 renewal, General was eager to do it again. He showed tremendous courage in the home straight, and after battling all the way to the line, he maintained his advantage by the smallest or margins – which in the end was just his nose. What a race! Jockey: Olivier Peslier trainer: Alban de Mieulle owner: H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani 2009: General I f not you, who better than your brother? In winning the second renewal of the Qatar Arabian World Cup, General had to better his big sister, Al Dahma. Although she was favourite following her success over General in their last meeting in Qatar, Al Dahma was obliged to accept defeat at Longchamp. It was an inspiring act of revenge by her younger brother. Jockey: Arnaud Bouleau trainer: Alban de Mieulle owner: H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani 19 2008: Lahib v oted best three-year-old Purebred Arabian in France in 2007, Lahib confirmed his superiority in 2008 by beating horses of all ages. He prevailed in a particularly tight finish involving five horses and a final two furlongs run in a fast time. This magnificent and talented horse thus made history in becoming the inaugural winner of the Qatar Arabian World Cup. Jockey: François-Xavier Bertras trainer: François Rohaut owner: H.H. Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan QATAR PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE • October, Saturday 6 th - Sunday 7 th 2012 20 The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is not just a horse race, it is a glamorous and festive occasion. At a time where hats are back in universal fashion, racecourses are increasingly the place to show off the latest creations. The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe lends an opportunity to display elegance, beauty and eccentricity – much to the delight of everyone present. France Galop, organiser of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe France Galop is renowned for organising major racing events of international standing. Among them the Prix de Diane Longines and the Prix du Jockey-Club at Chantilly, the Gras Savoye Grand Steeple Chase de Paris at Auteuil, the Summer Meeting Lucien Barrière, and naturally, the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp. France Galop is an association presided by Bertrand Bélinguier, whose missive is to encourage the breeding and training of Flat and jump horses to constantly improve the breed. The Institution obtains its revenues from betting on horse racing, collected via the PMU, which is jointly owned by France Galop and its trotting counterpart, Cheval Français. The best horses are established via a racing programme of more than 7.000 races a year, published by France Galop. Breeders, trainers, owners and jockeys of placed horses share out the prize-money and premiums. France Galop is the privileged representative of a racing industry that includes more than 76.000 people. 21 Saturday, October 6 Prix Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club For three-year-old colts, geldings and fillies 1.600 m - Divided handicap (1st division) - Support race Total prize-money: 60.000 € (28.200 € to the winner) Qatar Prix Chaudenay For three-year-old colts, geldings and fillies 3.000 m - Group 2 Total prize-money: 200.000 € (114.00 € to the winner) Qatar Total Arabian Trophy des Juments For Purebred Arabian four-year-old fillies only 2.000 m - Group 1 Total prize-money: 150.000 € (75.000 € to the winner) 22 Qatar Prix de Royallieu For three-year-olds and up, fillies and mares only 2.500 m - Group 2 Total prize-money: 250.000 € (142.500 € to the winner) Qatar Prix Dollar For three-year-olds and up 1.950 m - Group 2 Total prize-money: 200.000€ (114.000€ to the winner) Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein For three-year-olds and up 1.600 m - Group 2 Total prize-money: 200.000 € (114.000 € to the winner) Prix Barzan For three-year-olds only 1.600 m - Divided handicap (2nd division) Total prize-money: 30.000 € (15.000 € to the winner) Prix Horse Racing Abroad For two-year-olds only 1.600 m - Claiming race Total prize-money: 27.000 € (13.500 € to the winner) Sunday, October 7 Qatar Grand handicap de Longchamp For three-year-olds and up 2.400 m - Divided handicap (1st division) – Support race Total prize-money: 70.000 € (32.900 € to the winner) Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (Grand Critérium) sponsored by Al Emadi Entreprises For two-year-old colts and fillies only 1.400 m - Group 1 Total prize-money: 350.000 € (199.990 € to the winner) Total Prix Marcel Boussac – Critérium des Pouliches For two-year-old fillies only 1.600 m - Group 1 Total prize-money: 300.000 € (171.420 € to the winner) Qatar Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp For two-year-olds and up 1.000 m - Group 1 Total prize-money: 350.000 € (199.000 € to the winner) Prix de l’Opéra Longines For three-year-olds and up, fillies and mares only 2.000 m - Group 1 Total prize-money: 400.000 € (228.560 € to the winner) Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe For three-year-olds and up, colts, fillies and mares only 2.400 m - Group 1 Total prize-money: 4.000.000 € (2.285.600 € to the winner) Qatar Arabian World Cup Sponsored by Qatar Petroleum For Purebred Arabian four-year-olds and up 2.000 m - Group 1 Total prize-money: 700.000 € (350.000 € to the winner) Qatar Prix du Cadran For four-year-olds and up 4.000 m - Group 1 Total prize-money: 300.000€ (171.420€ to the winner) Qatar Prix de la Forêt For three-year-olds and up 1.400 m - Group 1 Total prize-money: 300.000 € (171.420€ to the winner) Longchamp Racecourse Route des Tribunes, Bois de Boulogne, 75016 Paris. TIMES Racecourse gates open at 11:00 Saturday - Proceedings starts at 13.30 p.m. Sunday - Proceedings starts at 13.30 p.m. 91th Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe : around 16.00 p.m. Admission Entry: 4 € on Saturday - 8 € on Sunday. Half-price for over 60s and students. Free admission for under-18s, members of the French Equestrian Federation and for ladies wearing hats. 24 Infield is free. Racecourse Access Free Shuttle buses (since 11 a.m.) Shuttles from the Porte d’Auteuil, in front of the train station, Place de la Porte Maillot, outside the Square Alexandre and René Parodi, – Bus stop 244 Pont de Sèvres, in front of the bus station. TAXIS taxi stands outside the gates cars Parking is free in the Longchamp infield (Porte de Passy entrance) Motorbikes must be parked in the infield (Porte de Passy entrance) France Galop Press Contacts: media@francegalop.com Julien Pescatore : +33 1 49 10 23 10 jpescatore@france-galop.com Héléna Dupuy +33 1 49 10 22 10 hdupuy@france-galop.com Eva Durao +33 1 49 10 22 03 edurao@france-galop.com qrec Press Contact: Patricia Musial : + 974 4419 7632 / + 974 5553 6839 / + 33 6 84 57 42 94 p.musial@qrec.gov.qa