Cygames Is Now a Premium Partner to the Qatar Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe

Cygames, Inc., the company behind the Umamusume: Pretty Derby franchise, is now a Premium Partner to Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. This partnership marks the first time a Japanese company has attained Premium Partner status with the prestigious race. As part of the sponsor partnership, the Cygames logo will be featured on the race programs and trackside signage at the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Additionally, life-size statues of Umamusume‘s Goldship and Orfevre will be placed at Paris Longchamp Racecourse during the race. Both horses competed in the race: Goldship finished 14th in 2014, and Orfevre placed 2nd in 2012.

Guillaume de Saint-Seine, the President of France Galop, said the following about the partnership:

“We are delighted to welcome Cygames, a video game developer and publisher, as a Premium Partner of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Having been the title sponsor of the Cygames Grand Prix de Paris for the past two years, Cygames is now further strengthening its commitment to French racing through this new partnership. I am particularly pleased to see our collaboration expand, helping to showcase the excellence and image of French racing to new audiences. This commitment also demonstrates our ability to attract partners from sectors far beyond the horse racing industry by offering platforms that address genuine brand-building, visibility, and business development objectives.”

Koichi Watanabe, Cygames’ president, also commented on the partnership:

“We are immensely proud to support one of the world’s most prestigious horse races as a Premium Partner of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. For generations, Japanese horses have pursued the dream of winning the Arc, and their stories have transcended the world of horse racing, inspiring people around the globe through the dreams and passion that this iconic race continues to embody. At Cygames, we strive to share these same dreams and passion with audiences worldwide by delivering the very best in entertainment. With this mission at heart, we are proud to support the Arc and hope that as many people as possible will be able to experience and enjoy this exceptional event and its world-class festivities.”

Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in Paris & Umamusume: Pretty Derby Details

The Société d’Encouragement inaugurated the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, in 1920. Since then, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe has become one of Europe’s most prestigious horse races. The 2400-meter (1 mile 4 furlongs) turf race is run at the Longchamp Racecourse in Paris and boasts the largest purse of any European race, with a €5,000,000 (~ $5,819,000 / ¥900,000,000) purse. This race is scheduled for October fourth. Following Qatar’s 2008 major sponsorship of the race, it was renamed the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is open to three-year-old and up thoroughbred horses. This year, the France Galop allowed geldings to join the race.

Cygames’ Umamusume: Pretty Derby franchise features anthropomorphic versions of real-life racehorses. Originally a mobile game, Umamusume has since been adapted into several TV anime, OVAs, manga, theatrical films, and additional video games.

© Cygames, Inc.
Source: Cygames, Inc.
Source: France Galop