Arc de Triomphe purse doubles
 

and becomes the richest race in Europe and North America. Never thought that would happen.

Purse goes up from 2 Milllion Euros to 4 Million.

I wonder if Breeders' Cup, and Dubai, will respond with increases?

Another sign that racing is truly an international sport and that the United States is not the only option. This race, the Canadian International, the Japan Cup and the race in Hong Kong are all better options than the BC Turf now. There are other mile races better than the BC Mile. The Dubai World Cup offers a bigger purse than the BC Classsic. It's things like this that go further in making the BC look foolish calling themselves the "World Championships", not the addition of more races.

Does anybody else think that the Arc should be shortened to 8f and restricted to 2yo fillies? I know I do.
That way it would be the ideal prep for the new BC race.

I would like to see fewer races for the Breeders Cup and span it over two days. I would like to see 5 races. Two run on Friday and three run on Saturday. I would like to see 3 of the races be for $3 million and 1 race for $4 million and the classic for $7 million.

4 million Euros is currently just short of 6 million dollars. If the US actually had turf horses that could compete overseas, we might see a few defections from the BC.

What is the length of the Arc ?

ans...about 12F

I'd like to see the JCGC go to 13F-16F and $2,000,000.

brilliant news...

Tis grand news, indeed.

stop using my word!!:)


2nd richest race in the world now. Its a pity the Sheikh will win it next year!

I heard the Irish Derby people will shorten their race to 6f to ensure it will be a good prep for the new BC turf sprint.

I tort I'd be Irish for d day :D

What will he win it with next year?

I have a feeling that an increase in Breeders' Cup purses will be announced to the main races-I think this was going to happen anyway and that Longchamp launched a pre-emptive strike to raise theirs before the BC.

I think that Dubai will also raise their 3 big race purses to make sure they are bigger that the World Cup is No 1 and that the 2 Turf Races are at least the richest in the world and possibly more than the BC Classic.

These increases will probably ensure that Cigar's record goes and that the $10 Million barrier is breached.

Dubai will raise their prize money. Very little doubt about that, but I'm not sure if the BC will be able to make much of an increase on their current prize money structure.

had a little time to think about this. it could be very very bad news for the King George. They are still without a sponsor for it after DeBeers pulled out. in the last 3 years, the only 3 year old to contest the race was the Oaks winner Eswarah in 2005. so in the last 3 yearsm every single good 3yo colt has avoided the King George. The french have taken their summer break and many of the good derby winners have tried to enhance their value by winning over 10f. I believe the Arc is firmly THE race to win in Europe, the KG could well be overtaken by the Eclipse as the summer highlight..

EDIT Tycoon was the only 3yo in 04. 2003 was the last time we had a good 3yo in the race with Irish Derby winner Alamshar winning and Derby winner Kris Kin 3rd.