A look ahead to this year’s Prix de l‘arc de Triomphe

The long-awaited prestigious race is now a little over one month away. This year the event will be held at ParisLongchamp racecourse for the second time since the newly renovated racecourse opened its doors in 2018. This year’s renewal marks the 98th edition of Prix de l'arc de Triomphe and it promises to be a vintage running of the famous race with star English filly Enable chasing a record-breaking third victory.

Enable is the only horse to have won two Arc’s on two different racecourses; the 2017 race at Chantilly and 2018 at the re-developed Paris Longchamp. Enable has also won a host of other top class races in her glittering career, including both the English and Irish Oaks, Yorkshire Oaks (twice), King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot (twice), the Eclipse and a Breeders’ Cup Turf.

What is Prix de l'arc de Triomphe

The Prix de l'arc de Triomphe is hailed as Europe's most prestigious horse race. It attracts the best three-year-olds and older thoroughbreds from all over Europe where they compete over a 2,400-metre course in a bid to win the second-highest prize fund in the world. The race is held at ParisLongchamp Racecourse on the outskirts of Paris every year on the first weekend in October. The race originated from two former French races held in the 19th century. At the time, the Societe d'Encouragement, the French racing governing body, only approved races for French-born horses. However, this restriction was lifted in 1863 after the Grand Prix de Paris was established. It was the first race to allow the best three-year-old from the globe to compete but it was run as a handicap.

The second race was held after thirty years bearing the name Prix du Conseil Municipal. This time, horses of different age groups participated. The third version was proposed in 1920 to complement the Grand Prix de Paris. It differed slightly from Prix du Conseil Municipal as each horse would participate off level weights. In honour of the victory parade held at Arc de Triomphe in Paris at the end of World War 1, the organisers decided to give a new name to the race; Prix de l'arc Triomphe, which still holds to this day.

2018 Prix de l'arc de Triomphe

The 2018 running of the Prix de l'arc de Triomphe proved a disappointment for many people who attended. The event was held at the redeveloped Paris Longchamp for the first time, but disgruntled spectators cited problems in accessing food and drink, inability to place bets and lack of sufficient toilet facilities. Many bars, restaurants and sandwich kiosks ran out of supplies by mid-afternoon. The problems developed despite the relatively small audience of 35,000 people which was 20,000 fewer than the 2015 attendance at Longchamp prior to the facility being closed for two years for redevelopment.

What the upgrade entails

Longchamp closed its gates in 2015 to undergo a complete redevelopment of the enclosures. The two stands dating back to the 1960s have been replaced with a sizeable 10,000-seater grandstand which provides a 180-degree view of the racecourse and River Seine. Spectators have a choice of three main dining areas- a French gastronomy brasserie, a beautiful dining area with a panoramic view and an affordable garden party-themed restaurant.

What Improvements should spectators expect in 2019

The complaints of long queues for toilets and food outlets at last year’s Arc prompted France Galop, French racing’s ruling body, to take notable steps to improve the facilities for 2019. They confessed that they had underestimated the audience needs by basing the demands on that of Chantilly in the two previous years.

Few British and Irish visitors made the trip to Chantilly but their numbers were back up for the inaugural running of the event at ParisLongchamp in 2018 and these racegoers tend to bet and drink more than the average French racegoer.

This year the organisers have promised to increase the number of pop-up restaurants by 60%, including 17 new bars with 50 extra beer pumps. Also, a lawn area has been incorporated just after the winning post. It is called the Pelouse de l'Arc and is the biggest temporary pub in Paris. France Galop has also increased the betting outlets to 400, a 25% increase from last year. Toilet facilities have increased by 30%.

Ticket prices have been reduced too. Previously, fans paid €20 to watch the race at the old Longchamp and €30 when it was held at Chantilly in 2016 and 2017. During the first Arc at the new ParisLongchamp, the price jumped to €75, a steep increase from previous rates. This year, however, the rate will drop to €65 while admission to the centre of the course (Jardin de l'Arc enclosure) will be down to €20 from €30. The organisers also promise to provide exceptional customer service to racegoers.

There will be free shuttle buses from the centre of Paris and 5,000 carpark spaces at the racecourse.

Always bet responsibly!

A huge horse racing event like the Prix de l'arc de Triomphe wouldn’t be complete without betting. Horse race betting is great fun for the majority of racegoers but there is always the risk of it getting out of control, particularly when emotions are running high and you get caught up in the excitement of the day. Therefore it is very important to always be responsible when it comes to placing bets. Following these advices for responsible betting habits which can help, to stay calm and keep the control. This way the Prix de 'arc de Triomphe, will be an enjoyable event, with no regrets afterwards.