Prince Albert II
at the Arc de Triomphe Prize in Qatar with
Qatari Sheikhs
Prince Albert II of Monaco and Patrick Roeser, CEO of Esope Continental at the entrance to the racecourse (Photo: Rachid Bellak)
The 103rd Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe took place this Sunday, October 6 at the ParisLongchamp racecourse. Many personalities attended this famous horse race. Among them were the former Prime Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Abdullah, son and brother of the Emirs of Qatar, and Prince Albert II of Monaco.
Traditional Qatari guard of honour at the entrance to the racecourse (Photo: Rachid Bellak)
Prince Albert II and Sheikh Abdullah of Qatar among the personalities at the ParisLongchamp racecourse
The legendary Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe horse race took place this weekend at the ParisLongchamp racecourse. Since 2008, Qatar has been associated with the name of the race, which has become the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. The English thoroughbred race is an unmissable social event but also a highly anticipated moment for equestrian sports enthusiasts because the winner is considered the world champion of galloping. The total prize money amounts to 5 million euros to be shared between the first five in the race.
Prince Albert II was in charge of presenting an award this Sunday (Photo: Rachid Bellak)
This Sunday, Prince Albert II of Monaco, 66, attended the race and was in charge of presenting the trophy. The Monegasque sovereign was accompanied by Prince Abdullah bin Khalifa Al-Thani. The 66-year-old sheikh was Prime Minister of Qatar from 1996 to 2007. He is also the son of Emir Khalifa, who reigned from 1972 to 1995, and the half-brother of Emir Hamad, who reigned from 1995 to 2013.
Saudi Arabian Ambassador to France Fahd bin Mayouf al-Ruwaili with his family at the racecourse (Photo: Rachid Bellak)
Other members of the Qatari royal family were present at the event, including the Qatari ambassador to France, Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al-Thani. Finally, Prince Saud bin Khalid bin Abdullah bin Abdulrahman Al-Saud, a member of the Saudi royal family and equestrian personality, owner of the winning mare, was present.
Prince Saud bin Khalid bin Abdullah bin Abdulrahman Al-Saud with his mare Bluestocking, who won the race (Photo: Rachid Bellak)
Among the ambassadors seen at the racecourse, in addition to the Qatari ambassador, we note the presence of the Saudi Arabian ambassador to France, Fahd bin Mayouf al-Ruwaili, and the Moroccan ambassador to France, Samira Sitaïl.
Prince Albert II on the podium, between Sheikh Abdullah of Qatar and Sheikh Ali, Ambassador of Qatar, to present the trophy (Photo: Rachid Bellak)
Qatari Ambassador to France Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al-Thani, a member of Qatar's ruling dynasty (Photo: Rachid Bellak)
This international event is broadcast in 60 countries and brought together a crowd of more than 30,000 enthusiasts who watched the victory of the British jockey Rossa Ryan and her mare Bluestocking. Prince Albert II and Sheikh Abdallah presented the trophy to the jockey. His victory comes with a prize of 2,857,000 euros. The second-place finisher, Stéphane Pasquier, and his horse Aventure received 1,143,000 euros. Third place went to the English jockey Ryan Moor and his thoroughbred Los Angeles, who received 571,500 euros.
Moroccan Ambassador to France, Samira Sitaïl, with actress Elsa Zylberstein (Photo: Rachid Bellak)
The organizers highlight the presence of "several personalities from various backgrounds" who were invited by France Galop. Among them were the actress Elsa Zylberstein, the actors Franck Dubosc, Arnaud Ducret, the influencer Juliette Longuet, the singer Joyce Jonathan, the dancer Victoria Dauberville, the dancer Mathieu Forget, the singer M.Pokora or the presenter and journalist Xavier de Moulins.
Nicolas Fontaine
ROYAL ARTS VISIONS; Prince Albert II and Sheikh Abdullah of Qatar among the dignitaries at the ParisLongchamp racecourse