The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe () is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris over a distance of 2,400 metres (1 mile 4 furlongs). The race is scheduled to take place each year in the autumn, usually on the first Sunday in October.
With prize money of €5 million, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, often referred to as the Arc, is Europe's richest flat race. The prize money and prestige attract international entries and the race is broadcast live in 60 countries. Since 2008 the Arc has been sponsored by Qatar. In 2026, the Japanese company Cygames, which produces the franchise Umamusume: Pretty Derby, became a premium partner of the Arc.
History
Origins The Société d'Encouragement, a former governing body of French racing, had initially restricted its races to thoroughbreds born and bred in France. In 1863, it launched the Grand Prix de Paris, an event designed to bring together the best three-year-olds from any country. Thirty years later, it introduced the Prix du Conseil Municipal, an international race for the leading horses of different age groups. It was run over 2,400 metres in October, with weights determined by a horse's previous performances.
The creation of a third such race was proposed at a committee meeting on 24 January 1920. The new event would complement the Grand Prix de Paris and serve as a showcase for French thoroughbred breeding. It would have similar characteristics to the Prix du Conseil Municipal, but each horse would compete on equal terms, unpenalised for previous victories.
Coming in the wake of World War I, it was decided that the race would be named after the Arc de Triomphe, a famous monument which had been the scene of a victory parade by the Allies in 1919. The chosen title had been previously assigned to a minor event at Longchamp. Another suggested title was the "Prix de la Victoire".
Race history The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe was first run on Sunday, 3 October 1920. The inaugural running was won by Comrade, a three-year-old colt owned by Evremond de Saint-Alary. The winner's prize was 150,000 francs.
In 1935, the event secured state funding by the means of a Sweepstake. The system was first used in 1936, and it continued until 1938. The race was cancelled twice during World War II, in 1939 and 1940. It was run at Le Tremblay with a distance of 2,300 metres in 1943 and 1944.
Government funding of the race resumed in 1949, with money obtained through the Loterie Nationale. Offering a jackpot of 50 million francs, this enabled a rapid increase of the prizes for both the Arc and its supporting races. By the 1970s, however, the assistance of the lottery had diminished, and the system was finally discontinued after the 1982 running. Since then, the race has had several sponsors, including Trusthouse Forte, CIGA Hotels and Groupe Lucien Barrière.
Since 2008, the race has been sponsored by Qatar. The Arc weekend includes seven races classed at Group 1 level, and four with Group 2 status. It also features the Arabian World Cup, the world's richest race for purebred Arabian horses, with €1 million in prize money.
Due to renovations at the Hippodrome de Longchamp, the 2016 and 2017 editions of the race took place at Chantilly.
Gelding restriction removed (2027) In June 2026, France Galop announced the removal of restrictions for geldings to enter the Arc starting in 2027. The decision was formally approved by the European Pattern Committee later that year.
In a race that has long been viewed as essential to promoting thoroughbred breeding, discussions about allowing geldings to run in the Arc intensified in the years leading up to the decision. In the two years before the decision was announced, top horses Goliath and Calandagan were unable to run in the race because of the restriction. In 2024 John Stewart, co-owner of Goliath, called for the removal of the gelding restriction in the Arc, arguing that "if fillies are permitted to compete without any assurances regarding their fertility, it appears inconsistent to exclude exceptional horses simply due to being gelded."
Records Most successful horse (2 wins):
Ksar – 1921, 1922 Motrico – 1930, 1932 Corrida – 1936, 1937 Tantieme – 1950, 1951 Ribot – 1955, 1956 Alleged – 1977, 1978 Treve – 2013, 2014 Enable – 2017, 2018 Daryz – 2025, 2026
Leading jockey (6 wins):
Frankie Dettori – Lammtarra (1995), Sakhee (2001), Marienbard (2002), Golden Horn (2015), Enable (2017, 2018)
Leading trainer (8 wins): André Fabre – Trempolino (1987), Subotica (1992), Carnegie (1994), Peintre Celebre (1997), Sagamix (1998), Hurricane Run (2005), Rail Link (2006), Waldgeist (2019)
Leading owner (6 wins): Marcel Boussac – Corrida (1936, 1937), Djebel (1942), Ardan (1944), Caracalla (1946), Coronation (1949) Khalid Abdullah – Rainbow Quest (1985), Dancing Brave (1986), Rail Link (2006), Workforce (2010), Enable (2017, 2018)
Fastest winning time – Found (2016), 2m 23.61s (at Chantilly)
Widest winning margin – Ribot (1956), Sea Bird (1965) and Sakhee (2001), 6 lengths
Oldest winning horse – Motrico (1932), aged 7 years
Most runners – 30, in 1967
Fewest runners – 7, in 1941
Winners