On Sunday 13th September 2020, three weeks before the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the flat racing elite goes to ParisLongchamp to take part in the Qatar Arc Trials.

This race day features a series of exceptional races, contested by horses who are entered to run in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

A thrilling day of racing action that you will not want to miss!

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PREPARATION FOR THE QATAR PRIX DE L'ARC DE TRIOMPHE:

- QATAR PRIX VERMEILLE -

The Qatar Prix Vermeille is run over the classic distance of a mile-and-a-half, just like the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. 

This Group 1 race boasts a purse of 350,000 euros and is contested by some of Europe’s most talented mares and fillies.

Often the first time that the year’s 3-year-old fillies come up against their more experienced counterparts, the Qatar Prix Vermeille was won by Zarkava in 2008 and by Trêve in 2013, two fillies that were unbeaten aged 3 and went on to triumph over their male peers in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe three weeks later!

This race is closely followed by racing connoisseurs, as eight of the last ten winners of the Arc have been female.  

- QATAR PRIX FOY -

A race reserved for male and female thoroughbreds aged 4 and over, the Qatar Prix Foy brings together Europe’s best older horses that favour the classic mile-and-a-half distance.

With a purse of 130,000 euros, this Group 2 event has seen many of its winners go on to place in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe three weeks later, such as Japanese thoroughbreds Orfèvre and El Condor Pasa.

- QATAR PRIX NIEL -

The Qatar Prix Niel, a Group 2 race with a purse of 130,000 euros that is open to 3-year-old colts and fillies, is a last opportunity for these young champions to measure up to one another over the classic mile-and-a-half distance before lining up alongside their elders in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Regularly finishing in the frame in the Arc, numerous winners of the Qatar Prix Niel have gone on to win this Holy Grail of flat races, most recently Rail Link, Hurricane Run and Dalakhani.

PROGRAM AND ARRIVALS 2019

2pm QATAR CUP PRIX DRAGON

Group I P.A – 4 yo and +– €100.000

Arrival: AKOYA and T.Bachelot

2.35pm QATAR PRIX FOY

Group II – 4 yo and + – €130.000

Winner of the 2018 Qatar Prix Foy (Gr2), Waldgeist strikes again, taking over the front-running Japanese raider Kiseki.

Arrival: WALDGEIST and C.Demuro

3.15pm QATAR GRAND HANDICAP DES ARC TRIALS

HAND – 4 yo and +– €70.000

Arrival: CARLTON CHOICE and J.Claudic

3.50pm QATAR PRIX VERMEILLE

Group I – 3 yo and +– €600.000

The favourite from England Star Catcher won the Qatar Prix Vermeille (Gr1) from pillar to post, on Sunday at ParisLongchamp. Trained by John  Gosden for her breeder Anthony Oppenheimer, the 3-year-old filly was  ridden by Lanfranco Dettori.

Arrival: STAR CATCHER and L.Dettori

3.25pm QATAR PRIX NIEL

Group II – 3 yo and +– €130.000

Sottsass left a big impression on the Sunday card at ParisLongchamp in the Qatar Prix Niel (Gr2). Completely boxed-in when things started to take a serious turn,  the colt who races the colours of White Birch Farm of Peter Brant fame,  stamped his authority in 100m once in the clear.

Arrival: SOTTSASS and C.Demuro

5pm QATAR PRIX DU PETIT COUVERT

Group III – 3 yo and +– €80.000

Arrival: GLASS SLIPPERS and TA.Eaves

5.35pm QATAR PRIX DU PIN

Group III – 3 yo and +– €80.000

Arrival: CITY LIGHT and C.Soumillon

6.10pm QATAR PRIX HAXO

HAND– 2 yo – €25.000

Arrival: JARNAC and M.Guyon