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2018 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe: Race History

One of the truly great races of the world is the 2018 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp on Sunday.

Treve
Treve Picture: Pat Healy Photography

Treve became an all-time great mare winning twice. That could happen again in the 2018 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) at ParisLongchamp on Sunday.

2018 PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is a Group 1 race run under Weight For Age conditions for three year olds and up (but not geldings) at Longchamp conducted by France Galop.

Enable wins the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe

The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is run over 2400m. It was first run in 1920 and was won by Comrade.

It is the most famous race in France and one of the biggest in world racing alongside the Derby, Melbourne Cup, Japan Cup, Dubai World Cup and Kentucky Derby.

In marketing the race, it was once described this way - "Ce n'est pas une course, c'est un monument" – "It's not a race, it's a monument".

It is only relatively young by European standards being just under 100 years old. The Arc was born just after WWI and celebrated the victory and the historic memorial.

The race was not run at the start of WWII then two editions were run at Le Tremblay.

Seven horses have won it twice – Ksar, Motrico, Corrida, Tantieme, Ribot, Alleged and Treve.

Several times the race has been won on protest including Priori, Saint Crespin and Rainbow Quest.

Frankie Dettori has the most Arc wins with five including some champion 3yos like Lammtarra, Golden Horn and Enable.

Andre Fabre holds the record as trainer with seven with his most recent being Rail Link in 2006.

There have been winners trained out of five countries – France (66), Great Britain (14), Ireland (8), Italy (6) and Germany (2).

Australian horse Strawberry Road finished fifth in the 1984 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe while So You Think (then with Aidan O’Brien) ran fourth in 2011.

Since 1994, there have 24 Arcs with the three year olds winning 18 of them.

Urban Sea won the 1993 edition and she produced the likes of Galileo, Black Sam Bellamy and the mighty Sea The Stars who also won the Arc in 2009.

The 2016 and 2017 editions were run at Chantilly as Longchamp was under its long term redevelopment.

The last non-French winner was Enable in 2017 for John Gosden.

The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is worth €5,000,000 in 2018.

Notable winners of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe include Enable (2017), Found (2016), Golden Horn (2015), Treve (2013/2014), Workforce (2010), Sea The Stars (2009), Zarkava (2008), Rail Link (2006), Sinndar (2000), Montjeu (1999), Peintre Celebre (1997), Helissio (1996), Lammtarra (1995), Carnegie (1994), Urban Sea (1993), Suave Dancer (1991), Dancing Brave (1986), Sagace (1984), Alleged (1977/1978), Allez France (1974), Mill Reef (1971), Sea Bird (1965), Ballymoss (1958), Ribot (1955/1956), Tantieme (1950/1951), Djebel (1942), Corrida (1936/1937), Brantome (1934), Motrico (1930/1932), Pearl Cap (1931) and Ksar (1921/1922).

The 2017 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe was won by Enable from Cloth Of Stars and Ulysses.


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