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Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club (REC) is pleased to announce that NYSE Euronext, the world’s leading and most liquid exchange group, will sponsor two races at the 89th Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the Prix de l’Opéra and the Prix de Royallieu, to be held at the Longchamp Racecourse in Paris on October 2nd and 3rd.
In 2008, REC and France Galop, the governing body of French horse racing, signed an exclusive five-year partnership agreement to promote races organized by REC and to help the Qatari racing authority open up to Thoroughbred racing. This partnership was an important step in the relationship between Qatar and France and allowed French racing to enter a new phase in the history of the Arc, the most richly rewarded turf race in the world.
“We are extremely happy to sign this partnership agreement with NYSE Euronext, commented His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Faleh Al Thani, Chairman of the Racing & Equestrian Club. Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is a prestigious race and we welcome NYSE Euronext for this weekend of Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.”
“NYSE Euronext is honored to support the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, one of the most celebrated thoroughbred horse races meeting in the world, added Dominique Cerutti, President and Deputy Chief Executive Officer of NYSE Euronext. Such an event is a great opportunity to further enhance the strong ties that unite France and Qatar, a privileged business partner of NYSE Euronext.”
The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is one of the most important horse race meetings on the European race calendar. In addition to the 70,000 spectators, over 200 countries broadcast the Arc in 2009, giving a combined television audience of over one billion spectators. The Arc also benefited from over 18 hours of international television coverage.
