The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
Updated: 2025
As far as European Thoroughbred races are concerned, few can possibly compete with the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Often referred to as simply the Arc, it’s been said about this race, in reference to its namesake, that “it’s not a race, it’s a monument.” To conquer this monumental race, horses need to have a complete set of skills, along with a little racing luck on their side.
Those who do win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe join a roster of winners that includes many of the greats of horse racing. The list of winners isn’t just relegated to French horses. There have been champions from Europe and other parts of the world, as well, as the Arc has essentially developed into a worldwide event as it closes in on its 100th anniversary.
Held at the Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, France, the Arc de Triomphe is a grueling test featuring top-notch fields from all over the racing world. Because the fields are so stout, horse racing bettors have an excellent opportunity to make it a lucrative race, whether they are at the event or betting online. In fact, the handle for the race consistently dwarfs the handles of other major European horse racing classics.
The Specifics of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe horse race is contested each year on the first Saturday in October at Longchamp, as it has been for most years since its first running in 1920. At a distance of 2,400 meters, or a mile and a half, it is run on a grass course at Longchamp. Three-year-olds and older are eligible for the race, which is a Group 1 stakes event.
As of 2025, the purse for the Arc de Triomphe stood at 5 million Euros, making it one of the world’s richest horse races. Because this race is one of the richest in horse racing, real money Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe betting is extremely popular.
Coming as it does at the end of a long racing season, it features fields that have generally proven themselves in European and international competition. Considering the scenic location of Longchamp near the Seine River and the importance of the race to the horses and their human connections, it draws great crowds to the area.
On that note, the Arc has become the centerpiece for an entire weekend of high-stakes racing in the area. Known as the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Weekend, this extravaganza for racing fans features 16 races, nine of which are Group 1s, the highest level of stakes race in the world. The total purse for these races stands at 9.7 million Euros.
In addition to all of that, the Arc de Triomphe is the last of a group of European races known as the EpiqE Series. This series is meant to judge the finest jockeys in that group of races. Therefore, the Arc often settles the debate, as one jockey wins a large cash bonus based on their performances throughout the entire series.
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe betting is quite hefty, with a 62 million Euro handle at the most recent running. Fans can bet while they are at the track, whether enjoying the carnival-like atmosphere of the Arc Village or sitting up close to the competitors in the Winning Post Enclosure. If you can’t make it out to Paris, however, you can easily find Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe betting sites to place bets online on this magnificent race.
The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Origins
High-stakes French horse races really started to come into fashion in the 19th century. But a race like the Arc couldn’t have become possible until French racing authorities started to create races that allowed horses from all nations to compete. Once that occurred in the late 19th century, the foundation was in place for a major horse race at Longchamp.
That finally occurred in 1920, as a purse of 150,000 Francs was put on the line in the very first running of the race. Considering that the first event came so closely on the heels of World War I, the choice of the famous Parisian monument of victory, the Arc de Triomphe, as the name of the race was an obvious one. Comrade, a three-year-old colt, captured the very first event.
Throughout the years, there were occasions when the Arc de Triomphe couldn’t be held at Longchamp. World War II was the main culprit, forcing the race to be canceled in 1939 and 1940 and causing it to be moved to Le Tremblay in 1943 and 1944. In 2016 and 2017, the Arc was held at Chantilly Racecourse due to renovations at Longchamp, but the race returned to Longchamp for the 2018 edition.
Funding for the Arc de Triomphe was achieved through the French government for many years. That eventually diminished as sponsors took over. Those sponsors have pushed the purse to the point where it stands as the third-richest in the sport of Thoroughbred racing.
Classic Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Races
The first true star of the Arc was born as Ksar became the first back-to-back winner of the race.
For the first time in the history of the event, a disqualification decided the winner. Even though Cadum finished first, he was placed behind Priori for causing interference. This cause quite a stir among the people who were Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe betting that day.
Motrico became a two-time champion in these years. What makes this feat all the more impressive is that the horse had previously been retired to stud, where he hadn’t been successful. Only then did he return to racing and become a two-time Arc winner.
Corrida became the first female horse to win the Arc twice, accomplishing the feat as a three-year-old filly and a four-year-old mare.
Tantieme became the next dual winner of the Arc de Triomphe. He retired with wins in 12 of his 15 career races.
Ribot, bred in Great Britain and trained in Italy, became one of the greatest dual champions in race history. Not only did he win the Arc twice, but he never lost in 16 career races. As if to prove how great he was, Oroso, one of the horses he beat in the 1956 edition of the Arc, came back to win the race a year later.
Midnight Sun and Saint Crespin finished in a dead heat at the line in the Arc de Triomphe, but the former was awarded the win due to the latter’s interference.
The British racing legend Sea-Bird, who had captured many of the Classic races in his home country, dominated the Arc with a six-length victory.
The race, won by Topyo, featured a field of 30, the largest ever in the history of the Arc de Triomphe.
Nijinsky, who had recently completed the British Triple Crown, was upset by Sassafras in the Arc. It was his first loss after 11 straight wins to start his career.
Star Appeal became the huge long-shot winner at 118-1. He was the first horse trained in Germany to win the event.
Alleged won two straight Arcs. No horse would accomplish the feat for another 35 years.
The filly Three Troikas won the Arc, making Criquette Head the first ever female trainer to win the race.
After winning the Arc, the filly All Along would head to North America and win three more major stakes races there within the span of 41 days after her triumph in Paris.
Sagace crossed the line first, appearing at the time to win his second straight Arc de Triomphe race. But he was disqualified for hampering Rainbow Quest, who would be awarded the victory.
The three-year-old colt Lammtarra, who had also won the British Classic race the Epsom Derby earlier in the year, won the Arc. He would then be retired with an unbeaten record after just four career races.
In her first race against colts, the filly Zarkava stayed unbeaten with an Arc victory. She retired undefeated after six races.
Recent Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Winners
| Year | Winner | Jockey |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Treve | Thierry Jarnet |
| 2014 | Treve | Thierry Jarnet |
| 2015 | Golden Horn | Frankie Dettori |
| 2016 | Found | Ryan Moore |
| 2017 | Enable | Frankie Dettori |
| 2018 | Enable | Frankie Dettori |
| 2019 | Waldgeist | Pierre-Charles Boudot |
Betting on the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
As stated above, Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe betting draws attention from all over the world. As you might expect, many of those people do their Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe betting online. Here are some basics on how you can place a bet on this unforgettable race and perhaps even pick a winner.
Where Do You Bet on the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe?
If you are lucky enough to make it out to Paris and Longchamp Racecourse, you can always place a wager right on site. But more than likely, the best that you’ll be able to do is watch it on television or the internet. In that case, you can take part by finding a online horse racing betting website that will take your wager.
In this case, you should try to shop around for the best Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe odds if you are planning on wagering through an online bookmaker. Many Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe betting sites will adjust their odds based on the betting interest in horses on their site. As a result, you might be able to get better odds for your favorite if you check several of these sites.
In addition, you can make sure that they offer you bonuses that are to your liking, while also ensuring that you can deposit and withdraw your funds at your convenience.
The bottom line is that you shouldn’t just jump at the first site that you find. Check around a little bit until you’re comfortable that you’ve found one that gives you just what you need out of your real money Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe betting experience.
What Types of Bets Are Available on the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe?
There are many types of horse racing bets that you can place online or at a track. If you make a straight bet on a single horse to win or place somewhere high in the order of finish, you should try to find those beneficial odds. Or you can stick with tote betting, where the odds will change right up to post time based on how much is bet on each particular race.
You might also decide to make a more complicated wager. Whether they are called exotics or accumulators, these bets can allow you to pick several different horses in a single race to finish in a certain order. Or it might mean that you have to pick the winners of several races in a row, with the Arc being one of those races.
These types of wagers are difficult to win because generally every part of the bet has to be right for you to get in the money. But they are perfect for those who want to win a lot with a small wager, as their payoffs are generally large.
What Is the Best Strategy for Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Betting?
Horse racing betting strategy is something that can differ from one person to the next. You can keep it simple and go with a gut feeling. Or you can study past performances and look for clues to determine which horses will perform the best.
One thing that should be in your mind is the identity of the jockeys and trainers for each horse. Some of these men and women might be at a point in their careers where they are peaking, meaning that their influence on a horse’s performance will be great. Or they might have had past success in big races like the Arc, or perhaps even in the Arc itself.
Take a little time to consider your choices, no matter your Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe betting strategy. Then apply your betting capital with the idea of maximizing your profits without putting too much at risk.
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
