Paris:The Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe meeting starts on Friday at the Saint-Cloud racecourse, sponsored by the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club. The event runs through October 5 and opens with two premier Group 1 PA races for three-year-old Purebred Arabians over 2,000 meters.
According to Qatar News Agency, the opening day features the Gr.1 PA Qatar Arabian Trophy des Poulains for colts and the Gr.1 PA Qatar Arabian Trophy des Pouliches for fillies. These races are expected to highlight leading three-year-old Arabian horses in Europe, with nine colts and 13 fillies entered to compete.
The meeting follows the Arqana Arabian Horse Sale at Saint-Cloud on Thursday, which attracted international interest, including representatives from the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club. The sale listed 78 horses, comprising 56 two-year-olds, six yearlings, and 16 racehorses, with five wildcard entries and 11 from breeding programs.
Organizers reported strong demand and a high sales rate across categories, indicating increased activity in the Arabian horse market. The Arqana sale coincides with Qatar's sponsorship of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, reflecting the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club's support for Arabian horse racing on an international scale.
Arabian races are now a staple of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe program, offering a significant platform for purebred Arabian racing in Europe.