The Prix De L'Arc
De Triomphe Race In France
Each year, thousands
of racing fans flock to Longchamp from all
over the world to witness what is generally
considered to be the ultimate test for thoroughbreds.
The PRIX DE L'ARC DE TRIOMPHE visitor's book is a veritable who's who: Rothschild,
Boussac, Plesch, the Aga Khan, Mme Cino Del Duca, Wildenstein, Mellon, Robert
Sangster, Wertheimer and Mrs Alec Head are just some of the names that grace
its pages.
Down the years, the ARC has been won by a host of truly great horses: Ribot,
Sea Bird, Allez France, Peintre Célèbre and Dancing Brave to name
but a few.
Aside from providing a magnificent sporting spectacle, the PRIX DE L'ARC DE TRIOMPHE
also plays a major role in dictating bloodlines. An Arc winner is dearly sought
after at stud, and his progeny will go on to improve thoroughbred performance
from generation to generation. In terms of fostering future champions, the PRIX
DE L'ARC DE TRIOMPHE has proven to be in a class of its own.
The LUCIEN BARRIERE PRIX DE L'ARC DE TRIOMPHE also offers more prize money than
any other European race, more even than the Epsom Derby, with total spoils of
FFR 10.5m (shared between the first five), 6 million of which goes to the winner.On
18 August 1854, the Paris city council authorized the town Prefect to acquire
property in the Bois de Boulogne where a racetrack could be built in the city's
name. By the terms of the lease, signed in June 1856, the city of Paris granted
the French racing authorities 60 hectares at Longchamp (from 1st July 1856 to
30 June 1906).
The Hippodrome of Longchamp
On 15 December 1856, the State accorded "Société d'Encouragement" the
right to run the "Autumn" race series hitherto held at the Champs-de-Mars under
the management of Haras.
The first ever race was run at Longchamp on Sunday 27 April 1857 in front of
a massive crowd. The Emperor Napoleon III and his wife Eugénie were present,
having sailed down the Seine on their private yacht to watch the third race.
Until 1930, many Parisians came to the track down the river on steamboats and
various other vessels, the trip taking around an hour to the Pont de Suresnes.
The royal couple joined Prince Jerome Bonaparte and his son Prince Napoleon in
the Royal Enclosure alongside the Prince of Nassau, Prince Murat and the Duke
of Morny, an avid racegoer. Non-aristocratic members of the upper classes were
not permitted into the Royal enclosure and had to be content with watching from
their barouche carriages on the lawn.
Charabancs, Victoria carriages and paddle boats all brought Parisians to Longchamp.
And they came as much for a day out as from curiosity for this new form of entertainment.
The card for the opening day contained five races. The first horse ever to cross
the finishing line was Eclaireur, in the black and red colors of Auguste Lupin.
A short length behind was Miss Gladiator, destined, a few years later, to become
one of the most famous brood mares in French racing history when she foaled the
celebrated Gladiator, whose bronze statue still stands at the main entrance to
the racetrack.
In the late Spring of 1914, Longchamp opened its doors to the Grand Prix de Paris
- at that time the world's richest race, with prize money totaling FF 300,000.
At the beginning of August, however, all racecourses were requisitioned for the
war effort. Racing officially began again on 5 May 1919 at Maisons Laffitte,
then again at Longchamp on the 8th.
Since it was first run on 3 October 1920, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe has become
the world's foremost race for three-year-olds and above over the classic mile
and a half distance. It takes place on the first Sunday in October. The "Arc",
as it is known, is every bit as prestigious as the English Derby at Epsom or
the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, and equally steeped in tradition, style
and glamour.
HISTORY
First run on 3 October 1920, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe was a "spin-off" from
the Grand Prix de Paris.
The French racing authorities initially only wanted to develop racing for thoroughbreds
born and bred in France. The reputation of French horses, however, quickly spread
beyond its borders, and it was eventually decided to open the Grand Prix de Paris
to three-year-olds from all over the world.
During a committee meeting of 11 January 1862, it was decided that FF 100,000
would be awarded to the winning horse: a staggering amount at the time.
With the help of the Duke of Morny, the city of Paris agreed to contribute FF
50,000, and five different railway companies FF10,000 apiece. The Grand Prix
de Paris was first run in 1863 in accordance with the following conditions:
- A race for colts and fillies
from any country.
- To be run on a Sunday.
- Over 3,000 m.
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The first running of the Grand Prix de Paris on 31 May 1863 with a success that
exceeded all expectations.
Thirty years later, in 1893, the Grand Prix de Paris became the Prix du Conseil
Municipal, open to three-year-olds and older. Thanks to the huge amount of prize
money, the race became extremely successful with foreign owners. However, as
it was a Handicap race, the Prix du Conseil Municipal could never become a Classic
and was therefore never considered important in breeding terms.
At a committee meeting on 24 January 1920, attended by the British ambassador,
the Count of Derby, the French racing authorities decided to create a highly
prestigious international race that would be complementary to the Grand Prix
de Paris.
And so the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe came into being, its title a tribute to
the French soldiers that served in the Great War. The name was preferred to another
contender, the "Prix de la Victoire".
The "Arc" was created just after the First World War, which had put paid to so
much of France's best bloodstock. France Galop's decision to found a classic
race was thus both courageous and optimistic. Since that time, the Arc's reputation
has never ceased to grow, and today the race stands as a glowing tribute to the
many men and women who have worked tirelessly to promote flat racing in France.
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe was first run at Longchamp racecourse on Sunday
3 October 1920. The first horse across the line was Comrade, who picked up FF150,000;
second was King's Cross, winning FF18,000, and Pleurs was third, winning FF10,000.
The Arc has now been run 78 times, always on the first Sunday in October (with
the exception of 1939 and 1940).
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