History of the Arc de Triomphe
The iconic Arc de Triomphe in Paris is a historical tribute to the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. It was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 following his success in the Battle of Austerlitz and built between 1806 and 1836. The construction of the arc was undertaken by French architect Jean Chalgrin, who combined much of the earlier designs of other architects in a colossal yet unified feat of engineering. The Arc de Triomphe is one of the most famous monuments in Paris and is a popular tourist destination.
The famous arch was used as the site of a succession of military parades from that of Napoleon Bonaparte through to modern times. During World War I, in November 1918 the Allied forces of Great Britain, U.S.A., and France marched in a grand parade around the arc in celebration of their victory over the Germans. The parade was a symbolic gesture of solidarity with the Allies’ victory and the arc remains a testament to the long-standing friendship between those countries. At the ceremony Charles de Gaulle along with the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and the American President Dwight Eisenhower was at the top of the arc.
The arc de triomphe has become a symbol not only of military success, but of French culture and identity. Every year, thousands of visitors to Paris congregate around the arc to witness the spectacular light show that is projected onto the structure every night by a spectacular sound and light show. And since the late 1990’s, the arc has been the site of the annual Arc de Triomphe Race, where the best horses in the world compete for the honour of winning the race and its accompanying prize of €240,000.
Arc de Triomphe 2022
The latest edition of the annual Arc de Triomphe Race will be held on October 9, 2021 in Paris. This edition of the race will be the 96th installment of the race, which was first held in 1920. The arc de triomphe race traditionally takes place on the first Sunday of October and is one of the most prestigious flat horse races in the world. In the history of the race, some of the most famous names in horse racing have won such as Sublimity, Darscape and Triptych. In 2021, the purse for the race was raised to €240,000.
The race is notoriously difficult and involves the runners navigating a 2.5 kilometre course around the arc de triomphe. The course involves three rounds of the arc in a clockwise direction and each round sees the horses climb the 204-foot hill of the Champs Elysees. As with any race, there is a high level of strategy involved in positioning the horses in order to gain the best advantage and position on the track. Therefore, it is not surprising that the race often requires a lot of skill and knowledge on the part of the jockeys.
The race is limited to 18 competitors and only those who have won big races in the past, such as the Prix du Jockey Club, the Grand National and the Ascot Gold Cup, can take part. Traditionally, the race takes place over a 2000m course, with the horses racing at full speed for the duration of the race. However, this edition of the race will have a slightly modified course and instead be raced over 2200m. This is a testament to the skill and athleticism of the horses involved in the race and requires the best physical conditioning in order to succeed.
The favourite to win the Arc de Triomphe in 2021 is currently the US-based horse, Golden Sceptre. The 4-year-old thoroughbred has had excellent form in his previous races, winning the Grade 1 Grand National in 2020 and the Grade 1 Ascot Gold Cup in 2021. The horse is trained by Michael Stoute and ridden by the talented jockey, Ryan Moore. Golden Sceptre is the clear favourite to win the race and is expected to continue his impressive form and take the crown of the Arc de Triomphe in 2022.
Preparation for the Race
In order to be successful in the Arc de Triomphe, riders need to be in excellent physical condition and be able to navigate the course with ease. The jockey’s strategical excellence is key, as they must be able to anticipate moves from the competition and position their steed optimally in the race. Horses must be in top condition, so many spend months training and preparing for the race. This usually includes galloping on flat ground and tackling various obstacles before entering the final race.
In order to train the horses, trainers often use specific exercises designed to build the steed’s endurance and obstacles that aim to replicate the experience of being in the middle of a race. This helps the horses prepare for the fast pace of the race, which often features tight turns and steep inclines. In the lead-up to the race, both the jockey and the horse will be put through a rigorous training programme consisting of specific exercises and drills.
The Arc de Triomphe is no exception. The rigorous preparations of jockeys and horses are key to ensuring a successful outcome. Horses must be well conditioned and trained in order to have enough stamina for the demanding course and be agile enough to navigate tight turns at a rapid pace. Jockeys need to be in excellent physical condition and possess excellent strategic and tactical skills in order to anticipate the moves of other competitors and position themselves rightly in the race.
Outcome
After months of rigorous preparation, the excitement of the race is palpable as the jockeys and horses set off around the Champs-Elysees. This year’s edition of the Arc de Triomphe was no exception, with an electric atmosphere and a particularly strong field of competitors vying for the prestigious title. After a thrilling race which saw the horses battle it out over the 2200m course, the winner was announced as the US-based Golden Sceptre, ridden by Ryan Moore.
By the race’s end, the horse had won by a whopping six lengths and became the first US trained runner in history to win the prestigious Arc de Triomphe. Formerly trained by Michael Stoute, Golden Sceptre produced a masterful performance to claim the victory and take the prestigious race. In addition to the purse of €240,000, Golden Sceptre also received an iconic Arc de Triomphe trophy which will stand as a testament to the horse’s legacy and a reminder to the world that US-based horses can compete at the highest level on the world stage.
Training Programmes
In order to be successful in the Arc de Triomphe, superlative training programmes are essential. Trainers look to develop the physical and mental ability of the horses and provide them with the best chance of success. Trainers often spend months getting the horses in top condition and incorporating exercises that replicate the conditions of the Champs-Elysees. By doing this, they attempt to develop the horse’s physical and mental strength, allowing them to tackle the demanding course with ease.
The training programmes differ from horse to horse and often take into account their physical capabilities and preferences. However, there are a few exercises that all horses undergo and can be seen as essential in the lead-up to the race. These include exercises such as galloping on flat ground, navigating obstacles, and practicing dealing with sudden tight turns at speed. All of these exercises help to condition the horse for the demanding race, allowing them to give their best performance when it matters.
In addition, trainers also take into account the mental strength of the horses. By creating a supportive atmosphere and praising the horses, they are able to develop their confidence and self-belief, which is essential in a race where success often comes down to the smallest of margins. Through the use of practice races, the horses are able to develop the ability to think on their feet, anticipate the moves of competitors, and stay calm under pressure.
Aftermath
Following Golden Sceptre’s victory in the 96th installment of the Arc de Triomphe, the celebrations across the globe began. It was a momentous occasion, not only for the US-based horse and its jockey, but for horse racing as a whole. With his immortality established, Horse Racing fans around the world were eager to learn more about the hero of the day.
As expected, Golden Sceptre’s victory was greeted with widespread acclaim and admiration. Horse racing fans and experts alike were in awe of the 4-year-old thoroughbred’s performance, and the accomplishments of its jockey and trainer were celebrated far and wide. Fans, experts, and the media sought to gain insight into the preparation and the strategy that went into producing such a momentous victory. The success of Golden Sceptre and the US-based trainer and jockey only serve to reinforce the notion that anything is possible, when passion, dedication and hard work align.
The victory also had a strong marketing impact for the sport of Horse Racing. Social Media was abuzz with chatter about the race and Golden Sceptre’s victory, generating a sizable surge in the popularity of the sport. Advertisements for the event were run on radio, television and the internet, reminding the public of the quality of action associated with the sport.
Overall, the success story of Golden Sceptre’s victory in the Arc de Triomphe 2022 edition serves as an inspiration to many. The horse, jockey, and trainer showed the world what can be done when one works hard and puts in the effort, inspiring many aspiring horse racing professionals to follow in the footsteps of the winners.
Impact of the Race
The success of Golden Sceptre in the Arc de Triomphe 2022 saw a significant surge in popularity for the sport of Horse Racing. The victory was celebrated across the world by fans and experts alike, with many taking to the media outlets to highlight their admiration for the winners. Alongside this, the surge in views for replays of the race and its advertisements increased the public’s interest in the sport.
The impact of the Arc de Triomphe 2022 was also felt on the world of Horse Racing itself. The success of Golden Sceptre and its jockey and trainer provided a springboard for the sport’s future, and inspired the upcoming generations of professionals to strive for success. With the race’s increased profile, Horse Racing saw a noticeable influx of new participants and fans, reigniting the public’s interest in the sport.
Additionally, the success of the horse also had an undeniably positive impact on the trainer and jockey themselves. Following the race, the two were inundated with offers and opportunities, as the public looked to learn more about their success story. Trainers and jockeys are now recognising the value of the Arc de Triomphe Race, as a victory in it not only brings with it a large purse and the iconic trophy, but the chance to enjoy the prestige and the spotlight that comes with being a winner in the esteemed race.
Conclusion
The 96th edition of the Arc de Triomphe was one for the ages. With a strong field of competitors vying for the title, the race brought with it a level of excitement and anticipation that was palpable around the world. At the end of the 2200 metre race, the winner was revealed as Golden Sceptre, ridden by Ryan Moore and trained by Michael Stoute.
The success of the horse and the accomplishments of its jockey and trainer had an undeniably positive impact on the world of Horse Racing. Not only did the race’s profile rise as a result of the result, but the public’s interest and participation in the sport were also rejuvenated.
The success story of the horse, jockey and trainer remains an inspiration to many aspiring professionals and serves as a testament to the capabilities of dedication and hard work. And while the 2021 edition of the race will forever stand as a reminder of the abilities of the underdog, the story of how the US-based horse and its jockeys overcame the odds to conquer the Arc de Triomphe remains etched in the memories of Horse Racing fans the world over.
