Unparalleled figures registered at Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

A week after the curtain fell on the Qatar-sponsor Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in Paris, discussions continue about the immense gains this global weekend has delivered, the impact of Qatar’s sponsorship and the ambitions for future editions of this prestigious horse racing event.

Qatar’s benefits from the event go far beyond securing multiple titles and maintaining the dominance of Qatari-owned Arabian horses in the French capital. They extend to many other aspects beyond the fierce competition at ParisLongchamp.

The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC), under the leadership of Hamad bin Abdulrahman al-Attiyah, is keen to leverage these gains not only in future renewals, but also in Qatar’s domestic racing season. The local season at Al Rayyan and Al Uqda tracks is set to begin in a few days and this momentum will help elevate local races to the international standards observed at Europe’s most prestigious tracks, through continuous improvements in both race quality and organisation.

Following the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, France Galop, the race organiser, monitored the event’s impact and released figures highlighting the 104th edition’s development.

Attendance reached 33,000, including many international visitors. The total prize fund for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe race amounted to €5mn, with €2.85mn awarded to the winner, making it the richest race in Europe and one of the most important worldwide.

The weekend’s success was also reflected in exceptional media coverage. Newspapers, radio stations, TV channels, and digital platforms shone a spotlight on the event. Internationally, the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe race was broadcast live in over 100 countries. On the France Galop social media platforms, the campaign deployed throughout the weekend achieved record results. On X, videos targeted at French, English-speaking and Japanese audiences generated 3.7 million impressions (+1.3mn vs 2024) and over 800,000 views, double last year’s figures. Overall, across all France Galop managed platforms (Instagram, Facebook, X and TikTok), videos published amassed 2.7 million views, a +111 % increase compared to 2024.
Qatari sponsorship – A pillar of excellence

These figures demonstrate the meeting’s elevated status under Qatari sponsorship, which has been in place since 2008 and has become the backbone of this historic event. The partnership has achieved multiple benefits, most notably promoting purebred Arabian horses in Europe’s and the world’s top races, becoming an integral and even a central part of the official programme of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend. The Qatar Arabian World Cup, held immediately before the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe race, now enjoys massive global attention.
Visit Qatar pavilion captures attention

Qatar’s sponsorship proves to be more than support to a sports event. It is a strategic partnership between QREC and France Galop. The Visit Qatar pavilion, which attracted large crowds of participants and spectators, demonstrated Visit Qatar’s influence on this global event. The pavilion became a hub for hundreds of stars and racing enthusiasts worldwide and this level of engagement is expected to continue in future editions.
France Galop president praises the event

Guillaume de Saint-Seine, President of France Galop, declared: “This 104th renewal of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe was a tremendous success: from innovations for a new customer experience to an intense sporting spectacle, and this despite some unpredictable weather. We would like to thank all those who contributed to this success: racing professionals and owners, French and international, France Galop and industry staff, media, partners and obviously the public, whose enthusiasm continues to strengthen this iconic event year after year.”

Proud of this overall success, France Galop intends to continue developing the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend, further enriching the spectator experience and expanding the international reach of this unique event, which combines top-level sport with quintessential French elegance.

The Qatari presence on and off the track translated into remarkable results. On the final day, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani presented the Qatar Arabian World Cup (Group 1 PA) to H.E. Sheikh Hamad bin Joaan Al Thani, in the presence of H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, and Mr Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Attiyah, Chairman of QREC.

For the third consecutive year, the legendary Al Ghadeer, owned by Al Shaqab Racing, trained by François Rohaut and ridden by Christophe Soumillon—who also partnered him in his two previous triumphs—retained the crown in spectacular fashion.

The brilliant 6YO reaffirmed his dominance in Purebred Arabian racing, and having one the first leg of the Doha Triple Crown at Goodwood in July, is keeping his sights firmly set on capturing the Crown once again for the third consecutive year — an unprecedented feat that may prove difficult to replicate. It seems Al Ghadeer is now competing only against himself, chasing the record he alone set by winning the Triple Crown twice before.

Qatari victories extended beyond Al Ghadeer, beginning at Saint-Cloud with two Group 1 PA wins in the three-year-old Arabian colt and filly categories. Subahiyah, owned and bred by Al Shaqab Racing, trained by François Rohaut and ridden by Christophe Soumillon, captured the fillies title, while Laffan, owned and bred by Al Wasmiyah Racing, also trained by François Rohaut and ridden by Maxime Guyon, took the colts contest.

The success continued at ParisLongchamp, where the four-year-old Arabian Hajmah, owned and bred by Al Shaqab Racing, trained by Thomas Fourcy and ridden by Christophe Soumillon, claimed the Group 1 PA Qatar Arabian Trophy des Juments (for four-year-old fillies), reaffirming Qatar’s global leadership in purebred Arabian racing.

Qatari excellence was not limited to Arabian horses. In Thoroughbred racing, First Look, owned by Wathnan Racing, won the Group 2 Qatar Prix Dollar with a polished performance characterised by courage and determination, defeating eight strong competitors for trainer André Fabre and under jockey Mickael Barzalona.