Today's Prix De L'Arc De Triomphe

For those of us who are horse racing fans, the first Sunday in October is a day we all wait for.

Today’s the day!

At Longchamp in Paris the best 3 year old plus Horses in the world come together to race in the “Prix de I’Arc de Triomphe”.

This year, five French, four Irish, one British, one German, two Japanese, one Brazilian, one American and a few others, meet to find out who is the best horse in the world over a mile and a half.

The best flat horses in the world run in races called “Group 1” races. Today at Longchamp there are seven such races. There are races for two year olds, three years olds, fillies and mares, sprints, mile races, mile and a quarter races and then the ultimate mile and a half Arc de Triomphe.

The race is worth £2.2 million pounds to the winner. Even if you come fifth you’ll receive £110k.

It’s the richest race in the world. The Derby winner ( Ruler of the World) is in it, the winner of the Sandown Eclipse ( Al Kazeem) is in it, the winner of the French Derby ( Intello) is in it, the winner of the Japanese Derby ( Kizuna) is in it, the winner of the St. leger (Leading Light) is in it. In fact every horse entered has won big races in their own countries.

The ground will play a big part. It tends to be soft ground in France in October and today is no exception. So the horses who have won on good and fast ground in the summer are at a disadvantage because they won’t like the ground today. Others love soft ground and will have waited their time during the summer until the ground has become softer. But the great horses can run and win on any ground.

The favourite is the Japanese horse Orfevre. He should have won the race last year but got pipped at the post. He’s only run twice this year and won on both occasions easily. If he wins today the Japanese will have their first success in this race.

My money is on Al Kazeem. He won’t like the ground but he’s a great horse and a big price at 16-1.

I’m hoping for him to get in the first three.

Whatever happens it will be a great race to just sit back and watch.

So forget your Sunday dinner today. At 3.15 put on channel four and just for a few minutes watch the best horses in the world run their hearts out. I will!