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  • 2017 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Betting Preview - Analysis, Odds and Predictions

2017 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Betting Preview - Analysis, Odds and Predictions

Jonathan Nixon

The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is regarded as one of the finest horse racing events in the world. The competition is almost 100 years old, having been first held in 1920. As the event approaches its centenary, the trophy is seen as one of the prestigious honours for any middle distance horse in Europe. The event is run over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs.

The Longchamp racecourse located in Paris plays host to the event that is also commonly known as ‘Arc’ amongst horse racing enthusiasts. However, Arc de Triomphe 2017 will be held at the Chantilly Racecourse in France as Longchamp is currently closed due to redevelopment works, but it is expected to return to hosting the events from next season onwards.

What Is the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe 2017 Date?

The upcoming edition will be the 96th in the history of the tournament. The key Arc de Triomphe 2017 date to remember is October 1, 2017. The race will kick off for another incredible season, with runners hoping to get their hands on the €5 million prize money. This prize makes this event one of the richest in the world with the winner alone making close to €3 million.

Big Race History: Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe

Initially, the prestigious horse racing events in France were limited to horses from the country. It was not until the launch of the Grand Prix de Paris that horses from any country around the world became accepted. The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe became a prestigious event once the competition was established in the current format in 1920. Only three-year-old horses and above are allowed to enter the race, which is conducted over the 2,400 meter distance.

The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Racecourse

Discover the Origins & Race History

The origins of the race go back to 1863 when the first race for thoroughbreds, which were born and bred on French soil, was held. However, the race was expanded to accept horses from across the world just before the turn of the century. The proper organisation came about in January 1920 when the new race was given the name of Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Changes Made Throughout History

The lengthy history of the race makes it challenging in terms of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe tips. However, the majority of the changes made in the history of the event were made primarily with regard to the prize and the origin of the same. Initially, a state-funded lottery was the prize money on offer. In modern times, though, the event has adopted several sponsors. The location has also been changed, although only temporarily. The 2016 and 2017 editions of the race take place at Chantilly due to renovations at Longchamp.

The Chantilly racecourse is one of the oldest in the world, having been opened in 1834. As of now, it will be hosting the 2017 event with the 2018 event likely to return to the Longchamp.

Previous Legendary Prix Arc de Triomphe Winners

The iconic Arc de Triomphe winners are Ksar, Motrico, Corrida, Tantieme, Ribot, Alleged, and Treve. All these horses have managed two wins with Motrico being the only runner among these seven not to win in consecutive seasons.

There have been several jockeys who have been immensely successful. Frankie Dettori recently joined the band of seven jockeys who have won the event four times each. As a trainer, Andre Fabre stands well above any competition with seven wins. His last success as a trainer at the event was in 2006 when Rail Link won the race.

What Do Winning Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe Runners Have in Common?

One of the important factors to consider when it comes to predicting winners with the help of Arc de Triomphe odds is the age. An incredible 18 out of the last 24 events have been won by three-year-old horses, which clearly benefit from the great advantage as compared to older horses. Arc de Triomphe race tips also do not tend to favour back-to-back successes as there have been only seven occasions on which a horse has defended the title. Unsurprisingly, odds Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe tend to back the younger horses coming into the race.

Do Age, Weight and Other Average Parameters Count That Much?

The age is seen as a defining factor when it comes to Arc de Triomphe betting. Since the weight of a three-year-old will be less compared to a five-year-old, they often tend to become successful. Four-year-old horses are occasionally successful, but the three-year-olds have a 75% strike rate in the last two decades.

The trend has especially been more prolific since 2008 when Zarkava (2008), Sea The Stars (2009), Workforce (2010), Danedream (2011), and Treve (2013) all ended up being successful as three-year-olds. While the same trend will not hold true in every race, the presence of some three-year-olds being rated as favourites by the bookmakers is a sure sign of possible winners.

Since 1989, only one horse above five years of age managed to be crowned as one of the Arc de Triomphe winners.

Discover Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Betting Tips: Find out Who Tops the Favourites List

Enable, John Gosden's trainee, tops the Arc bets list and hasn't lost in five races since she stepped up at the Arc distance of 1.5 miles, a sequence that boasts four Group 1's in a row. Speaking of the aggregate winnign distance in such races, it has been twenty lenghts, and each is won by about five lenghts. She has won in the Irish Oaks, has beaten the colts there, as well as in the King George. Enable is a spectacular filly, and probably the best middle-distance turf horse in her age group. On the other hand, the going is soft, and with a very dry week forecase, our best guess is that the track will boast perfect conditions for Enable, and she has the best Arc de Triomphe odds.


It's hard to scamper for value in the 2017 Arc, and the second best pick for OddsDigger's punters is Ulysses (6/1 William Hill). We see it as the greatest rival. A stunningly-bred 4-year-old who has matured into a pure Group 1 horse, he was on vapours at King George and looks to be a short runner for us at the 1.5-mile Arc distance. In our opinion, he is more likely to win a race such as the Breeders' Cup Turf. Another rival for Enable can be Brametot, be he never races over 1.25 miles, and it will be difficult for him to assess the distance. Given this information, Enable remains the best pick in our Arc betting tips.

It is quite clear from the level of attention, which the 2017 Arc de Triomphe preview has been receiving, that this is a huge tournament to be reckoned with. This is not true only in the case of the thoroughbreds which will be fighting out for the several million euro prize money, but it is also true for the punters around the world.

While it is extremely difficult to be super successful when it comes to this event, OddsDigger.com helps you in achieving your goals while also helping you find the best Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe odds by comparing the numbers from various bookmakers. Apart from the horse racing odds, you can also get all the predictions. The opportunity to bet on one of the biggest horse racing events, namely Arc de Triomphe 2017, is a great one, so do not miss it.