Sport
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Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka
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Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Longchamp,
Paris
The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is a
Group 1 flat horse race open to
thoroughbreds aged three years or older.
It is run at Longchamp over a distance of
2,400 metres (about 1½ miles).
Popularly referred to as the “Arc”, it is
Europe’s second most prestigious horse
race (after the Epsom Derby). Its roll of
honour features many highly acclaimed
horses, and its winners are often
subsequently regarded as champions. It
is currently the world’s second richest
turf race (behind The Everest). A slogan
of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, first
used on a promotional poster in 2003,
describes the event as “Ce n’est pas une
course, c’est un monument” – “It’s not a
race, it’s a monument”.
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
with weights determined by a horse’s
previous performances.
similar characteristics to the Prix du
Conseil Municipal, but each horse would
compete on equal terms, un-penalised
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"
SATURDAY 19
British Champions Day, Ascot
THURSDAY 3 – SUNDAY 6
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
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Rally GB
The 2019 Wales Rally GB (also known as
Dayinsure Wales Rally GB 2019) is a
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