Arc meeting receives major purse increase

France Galop have announced that prize money for the country's flagship Arc meeting will be increased by €865,000 in 2012. In a move to counter the new threat of British Champions' Day, the French authority has made a special case of the two-day festival at Longchamp with a general 5 percent rise in prize money throughout the season.

President Edouard de Rothschild revealed that the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club has extended its sponsorship of the prestige weekend, with the Group 1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe purse rising from its current €4 million to €5.3 million by 2018.

"This extension of Qatar's sponsorship is intended, in particular, to face up to the risk of competition from British Champions' Day at Ascot and strengthens significantly the prize-money of all Group races on Arc weekend," a France Galop statement read.

It was also announced that with the support of Longines, the Group 1 Prix de Diane would be worth €1 million next year.