Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe secures worldwide coverage

The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe 2023 saw legend Frankie Dettori ride for the last time

The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe had many headline stories this year with Frankie Dettori being the undisputed star of the international circuit. As the retiring jockey fought to add to his record six ‘Arc’ wins, 25 international broadcasters were poised to showcase the dramatic action.

In France, M6 was on-site to do a bespoke broadcast around the €5,000,000 feature race. Strong domestic coverage was supplemented by Equidia, France’s leading free-to-air racing network.

HBA Media, France Galop’s dedicated global horse racing distribution partner, secured an additional 22 international broadcasters for the 102nd running of the famous fixture. For 2023, HBA Media, and France Galop invested in a ‘Golden Hour’ live broadcast for the global audience for the first time, to highlight the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe’s growing international influence.

The 60 minute show, presented by Tom Stanley, focused on the feature race and contained additional features produced by World Horse Racing, with in-running coverage provided by Equidia. A five hour World Feed produced by Equidia, featuring the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and a collection of elite Group 1 races, was also available to broadcasters.

ITV extended its longstanding commitment to the event with a prolonged Sunday broadcast that takes in, for the first time, five Group 1 contests from Longchamp. Its flagship coverage was live on ITV4 and STV from 13:00 to 16:15 on Sunday 1 October with a dedicated studio programme presented by Ed Chamberlin and Francesca Cumani, with Oli Bell on-course in a roving reporter role.

Strong European coverage also saw Sky Sports Racing, Virgin Media (Ireland), and BBC Radio 5Live providing further UK exposure. Italy’s largest free to air channel, RAI, made the live race available to an audience expectant of another Dettori success, while other European outlets include WeDoTV (Germany, Switzerland, Austria), Silknet (Georgia), Polsat (Poland), Kanal 75 (Sweden) and Setanta (Balkans and Eurasia).

The US audience was catered for with Fox Sports showcasing the Golden Hour, highlighting the channel’s continual commitment to international horse racing.

Australian viewers were able to watch free-to-air through Racing.com and Entain’s OTT channels, with the latter also available in New Zealand for the first time. Fans in Indonesia were able to enjoy the ‘Arc’ courtesy of TransVision through their linear and digital channels.

Audiences in the Middle East had bolstered broadcast options with four media channels supporting Europe’s premier event. Al Kass (Qatar) and beIN (Qatar) transmitted the full weekend of riveting racing. The two channels were live on course with paddock side studio locations and talent. DMI (MENA) transmitted the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe live within a six hour broadcast, with Al Rayyan (Qatar) adding commentary and production for its viewers.

FanCode, India’s leading online sports streaming platform, showcased the full meeting through a new deal as it continues its support for international horse racing. Sony Pictures Network (SPN) showcased the Golden Hour across the Indian subcontinent.

The Japanese contenders carried on their chase for an elusive first Arc win for the country with Through Seven Seas headlining their field. Once again, The Green Channel  provided significant exposure for this region.

Reuters distributed the full event to its wide network of news outlets and Sport24 broadcasted the Golden Hour on airlines and cruise lines.

Henry Birtles, chief executive at HBA Media, said: “We are very pleased with the comprehensive global distribution for this year’s Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, headlined by strong free to air coverage on ITV and RAI as Frankie Dettori makes his final appearance at the event.

“Our ability to offer broadcasters various live packages, including our new Golden Hour show, has resulted in improved exposure across multiple linear and digital networks, and ensured that the Arc’s international resonance continues to go from strength to strength.”

Delphine Violette, director of commercial and marketing for France Galop, said: “We are delighted with the enthusiasm shown by French and international broadcasters for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, recognised as one of the world’s best races. This increase in the Arc’s international exposure is the fruit of a productive collaboration with the HBA team, initiated in 2022. We have high hopes for the future, in particular for the success of the Golden Hour program, which should enable us to further extend the event’s international exposure.”