Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club and France Galop Sign 5-yr Partnership
12/12/2007

Wednesday 12 December, Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club and France Galop have signed an exclusive 5-year partnership agreement (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012).

This agreement will allow French flat racing to go one major step forward in the history of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe from 2008, it will become the second richest race in the world and the first richest race on turf.

Thus, in 2008, the “Arc” prize money will go from 2 to 4 Million Euros (about 5.8 Million US$).

This partnership includes also a 600,000 euros program of 4 international races for Pure Arabian horses, organised by French Association for Arabian Racehorses (AFAC), whose Chairman Jean-Pierre de Gasté, initiated this sponsoring. One of these four Arabian races, the Qatar Arabian World Cup to be run at Longchamp on the day of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, will become the richest Arabian race in the world with 350.000 euros of prize money.

The total prize money of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Weekend is therefore increased to 6.7 Million Euros (about 10 Million US$).

Louis Romanet, Director General of France Galop said : “The Arc, already recognised worldwide as the best quality race with the highest rating over the last five years, will definitely reach, thanks to this partnership, the first place among international sporting events, in all disciplines.”

Sheikh Mohamed Bin Faleh Al-Thani, QREC Vice-Chairman, said : “I am extremely happy at this partnership with France Galop. It is taking place at a time when Qatar, already recognised for the quality of its Arabian horseracing, is implementing an ambitious development program for Thoroughbred racing.”

Edouard de Rothschild, Chairman of France Galop, said : “The twofold increase of the prize money of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is a major event for racing in the world. France Galop warmly thanks Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani and Sheikh Mohamed Bin Faleh Al-Thani for this agreement which is the start of a wide-ranging partnership for the future between France Galop and the Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club.”

Contacts :
Sami Jassim Al Boenian, General Manager QREC : + 974 480 60 11 / + 974 480 99 22
Louis Romanet, Director General France Galop : + 33 1 49 10 20 01
Jean-Pierre de Gasté, AFAC Chairman : + 33 1 39 49 26 76