Racing News
	Thursday 31st August 2017

Preview: Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Weekend

A fixture in the calendar of almost every avid horse racing fan in the world, the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is an event of enormous and illustrious stature. With two days of intense and prestigious races featuring only the very best Group 1 horses, the Chantilly Racecourse is the place to be on the weekend of Saturday 30th September and Sunday 1st October!

The weekend will climax with what is considered by many as ‘the world’s greatest horse race’ – a flat battle of highly talented thoroughbreds, paired with world-class jockeys, all taking place in the picturesque surroundings of the stunning Chantilly Estate.

Whereas many race days are accompanied by loud adverts for online casinos UK players enjoy, betting sites, and so on, the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is by contrast a sea of purple – the colour of the event’s main partner, the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC).

The Venue

The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe usually takes place at Longchamp Racecourse, however this historic track is still under redevelopment. The event was initially slated to return to its home venue for the 2017 season, but since completion is expected only two weeks prior to the weekend event, France Galop’s administrative council opted to hold it for one more year at Chantilly.

This decision was mainly based on the conclusion that, with the expected crowd of around 60,000 spectators, it would be too risky to hold the event at Longchamp.

Getting There

The Chantilly Estate lies within a large national park, namely the ‘Oise - Pays de France Natural Regional Park’, a little way outside the capital city of Paris. Those from the UK can get to Paris via the Eurostar, the Eurotunnel, by ferry + coach, or by flight.

If you are travelling via train from Paris (recommended in order to avoid traffic congestion), head to the Gare du Nord (lower ground floor) and you will find the train departs every 20-40 minutes from 7:58am onwards.
If you choose to brave the traffic and drive, there are two routes available to you; the RN 16, or the A1 motorway. Parking charges are a very reasonable €2. UK-based racing fans can take advantages of a package deal including transport and accommodation at this website, among others.

Supporting Races

There’s no doubt that fans of horse racing will be in their element at The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, making plenty of bets. If you like to gamble, but want something a little different from horse racing, or perhaps a distraction between races, you can also try a PayPal casino UK players enjoy.
Prior to the main event, the following races will be run throughout the day:

• Prix de l’Abbaye (the European Sprint Championship): for 2 year olds and over - distance 1,000 metres.
• Prix Marcel Boussac: for 2 year old fillies - distance 1,600 metres.
  
• Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (formerly the Grand Criterium): for 2 year old colts & fillies - distance 1,400 metres.
• Prix de l’Opera: for 3 year old fillies and mares – distance 2,000 metres.
• Prix de la Foret: for 3 year olds and over - distance 1,400 metres.
• Qatar Arabian World Cup: for pure bred Arabian horses - distance 2,000 metres.

Best of luck to everybody that is heading to Chantilly – enjoy the championship of European racing!