Qatar Investment & Projects Development Holding Company (Qipco) has entered into a partnership with France Galop, the country’s governing body of flat and steeplechase horse racing, through which it will sponsor the Prix du Jockey Club event.
The three-year deal will run until 2019 and officially renames the event as the Qipco Prix du Jockey Club.
This year’s race takes place at the Chantilly Racecourse on June 4. With a prize purse of €1.5m ($1.64m) it is second only to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe as the richest race in France.
Qipco director Sheikh Farhad Al Thani said: “This partnership has three objectives: to increase the reputation of Qipco internationally by sponsoring prestigious and prestigious events, to promote our stallions, property of Qatar Bloodstock and subsidiary of Qipco and, most importantly … to contribute to the promotion, popularity and vitality of the European races that we consider the best in the world and which are at the heart of our investments in thoroughbred breeding.”
Qipco’s horse-racing portfolio also includes partnerships with the Irish Champion Stakes event and the British Champions Series. The partnership with France Galop marks its first significant investment in French racing.