The Longchamp Racecourse

The "Arc" was created just after the First World War; its title is a tribute to the French soldiers that served in the Great War. Over the years the Arc's reputation has never ceased to grow, and today the race stands as a glowing tribute to the many men and women who have worked tirelessly to promote flat racing in France.

The mile and a half turf track comprises an uphill and downhill slope with a challenging rising straight as you come out of the final bend. The Arc winner will be an animal with speed and stamina in equal measures. The winner is also usually drawn less than 10 (on the inside) from where he or she can remain in the leading group and then attack the 533 m straight to the finishing post.

The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe was first run at Longchamp racecourse on Sunday October 3rd 1920. The first horse across the line was Comrade, who picked up FF150,000; second was King's Cross, winning FF18,000, and Pleurs was third, winning FF10,000. The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Lucien Barrière offers prize-money of 1.8 million euros including 1,028,520 euros to the winner. The Arc weekend is Europe’s biggest two-day combined purse, with total prize money of 4 million euros on offer.