To Watch the Arc...

[PrivateSmiles]

HRTV broadcasting it. I guess that's marginally better than not seeing it at all.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/ ... e-triomphe

HRTV to Provide Coverage of Arc de Triomphe

HRTV's will present live coverage of the Oct. 4 Qatar Prix de l' Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I) from Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, France.

The $5.8 million Arc, the richest race in Europe, will be headlined by one of Thoroughbred racing's brightest performers, Sea the Stars. The five-time group I winner is expected to be the odds-on choice in a big field slated to go postward in the 1 1/2-mile turf race.

HRTV's Oct. 4 coverage will begin at 9 a.m. (all times ET), with an estimated post time for the Arc slated for 10:15 a.m.

HRTV will show a number of other races on the Longchamp card, including a pair of group I events –the Prix de l'Opera (9:30 a.m.) and the Prix du Cadran (11:45 a.m.).

[Srotagtbs]

Why does the name of the race contain Qatar when the race is held in France? Is the country of Qatar actually sponsoring the race?

[PrivateSmiles]

Why does the name of the race contain Qatar when the race is held in France? Is the country of Qatar actually sponsoring the race?

That would be my guess.

[Moonwalker]

I saw an Arc ad on TVG, but I can't remember the details.

Mary MMM

[Bob B]

Why does the name of the race contain Qatar when the race is held in France? Is the country of Qatar actually sponsoring the race?

Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club sponsors it. Details here...

http://www.horseraceinsider.com/blog.ph ... rc-richer/

[Spiketoo]

HRTV broadcasting it. I guess that's marginally better than not seeing it at all.

No, it's a great thing. All you do is whine about the soft picture on HRTV. Just like us that complain about the TVGsux talking heads, if you dont like it then dont watch it. Find an online feed like At The Races or summin.

This is an opportunity to see probably one of the best (if not the best) horses currently running. Can't you ever just enjoy the moment.

[Crazykid]

i was fortunate enough to attend the arc in 1996. that day has to be the highlight of all my days ever at a race track. the supporting races were all groups 1s too. helissio's performance in the arc was every bit as good as secretariats belmont.

[Risen Star]

[quote="Spiketoo"

No, it's a great thing. All you do is whine about the soft picture on HRTV. Just like us that complain about the TVGsux talking heads, if you dont like it then dont watch it. Find an online feed like At The Races or summin.

This is an opportunity to see probably one of the best (if not the best) horses currently running. Can't you ever just enjoy the moment.

[/quote]


I can't remember seeing the Arc on television last year, but I did see it two years ago, on HRTV, when Dylan Thomas won. Jeff Siegel and Laffit Pincay III did the commentary, and although they're based here, I thought they did an excellent job and the camera footage was more than sufficient. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Spiketoo makes a very good point. And we should all remember that without HRTV or TVG we'd have to watch the races on computer replays sometimes a day or two later. These folks are doing the best they can, provide expert commentary and a feed halfway around the world. There is no chance any major network or ESPN will carry them, even though we're talking about some of the top races in the world. The Arc, IMO, is one of the six biggest races, and in another month, on the first Tuesday in November, another within my own top six global races, the Melbourne Cup, will be run, and last year both HRTV and TVG carried it. You think any other station ever would? We are very fortunate to have HRTV and TVG.

Thanks to the racing stations, we've been able to watch this extraordinary horse and other international stars, including our own Wesley Ward and his charges at Ascot.

I'll get off my soapbox now.

[ScrapingThePaint]

Every year I get up bright and early to catch the 'Arc and any other races that are shown that day. As others have said, it is one of the grandest of all racing days, full of pomp and ceremony. You get to see some of the best horses in the world compete against each other at a beautiful track. This year is no exception with Sea The Stars. I have not seen him race yet, and I am really looking forward to it.

There is just something about these big international race days -- Dubai World Cup, Ascot, 'Arc, Melbourne Cup. To me, they celebrate everything about horse racing: the trainers, the owners, the jockeys, the fans, and most importantly, the horses. Unlike the US coverage of the Triple Crown races, these telecasts seem to have more appreciation for the sport. The international commentators give background, reference current events, conduct interviews, describe what is going on and also include some handicapping. But there is so much less hype and human ego than the NBC or ESPN/ABC telecasts.

HRTV's coverage has always been fine. I believe TVG has also covered in the past, or I might be confusing that with Dubai racing day. But, as I mentioned above, the international feed -- I'm not sure if it is British or? -- is what I enjoy the most. The commentators give lots of excellent information about these horses and their connections -- information that their US counterparts on HRTV and/or TVG don't have.

I usually put on both HRTV and TVG and switch the audio to the one that is bringing in the international commentators.

[Bob B]

Amen on the international feed. Not to trash the Americans, but the international feeds on these events are exponentially better. To be fair, I wouldn't want to watch an Attheraces, RacingUK or French Galop feed of our triple crown races either. I like to hear from the knowledgable commentators. During the BC telecast, I don't need to hear from my dear friend John McCririck or Nick Luck on American based horses, but I sure want to hear everything they have to say about the Euro imports.

I think the Arc has been televised for many years now. TVG and/or HRTV for several years and I even remember NBC doing the broadcast awhile back live on Sunday morning. Of all the racing feeds, (when in English) I enjoy the French feed the best. They have the same routine after the race of the shutter cam showing the placings of the top finishers including a brilliant head-on close up of the winning horse and rider. Arc day is when France shines and I'm very much looking forward to another great meeting. I just wish they were broadcasting earlier on Sunday so I could see the Abbaye and on Saturday when Goldikova makes her final BC prep in the Foret.