As Paris awoke this morning for the start of another week, our clients began to make their way back to the UK having witnessed a record-breaking Arc. Danedream, only the second German horse to ever win the race, did so in record time, winning by five lengths ahead of Shareta and Snow Fairy to complete an all-filly top three. The unfancied 20-1 shot didn’t carry much support from our travelling contingent and so didn’t prove to me the most popular winner but even so there was a good deal of success over the course of the day. There was astonishment among the crowd that a French, British or Irish-trained horse had failed to win.

The weather was once again glorious, making the view from Horse Racing Abroad’s Pavilion Grandstand all the better; Longchamp was looking marvellous in the autumn sunshine, which felt more like the middle of the summer with temperatures topping 30 degrees! We were once again able to accommodate just short of 1,000 people in our exclusive facility and as is so often the case, the kick for home came right in front of us, 1 ¼ furlongs from the finish.

A new innovation in the grandstand – our Marquee Restaurant offering a reserved table and a four-course buffet lunch including wine – was a roaring success and will most definitely feature next year. The warm weather also prompted a healthy intake of champagne!

We have received some lovely testimonials from our clients who were in Paris:

My wife and I had a wonderful time at Longchamp for the Qatar Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe. We upgraded our stay enabling us to attend both racedays, thus enjoying two great days of racing and spending two nights in Paris with yesterday (Monday) for sightseeing. The organisation of the whole trip was excellent and we were very pleased with your travel advisor who organised our flights, and hotel choice, namely the Napolean. We would like to express a special thanks to all of your representatives and staff, but especially our one based in the Napolean Hotel. She managed us all in a calm and dignified way, and with a smile, thus leading to the success of the trip. At Longchamp we found the facilities very good. A thoroughly memorable trip. Kind regards and many thanks once again - Mr C.

I returned back to U K Monday after a wonderful racing weekend with you - Thank you – Mr D.

Thanks for a fabulous weekend, everything was extremely well organised. A lovely surprise 40th! – Mr P.

I just wanted to tell you we had a fantastic time and to thank all the staff we met. It was a great week-end and we want to book for next year when you are ready! – Mr C.

All in all, another very worthwhile expedition to Paris. We look forward to returning to Longchamp in 2012 and to seeing our clients on one of our future tours!

Ian Fry – Horse Racing Abroad
Published: 3 October 2011