By Emmanuel Roussel
In the last three weeks, since the technical opening of ParisLongchamp, many people have had a chance to look around and gather an idea of what the new-look racecourse is about. From now on, the game is on and France Galop looks forward to that. A provisory first head count indicates that more than 20,000 people will gather there a week on Sunday to watch the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, cut the ribbon along with France Galop boss Edouard de Rothschild. They might also witness Cracksman (GB) (Frankel {GB}) winning the G1 Prix Ganay, whose purse has been doubled for this special occasion to €600,000.
Racegoers and the whole racing tribe will enjoy a unique day, with plenty of action on and off course, as the French DJ The Avener performing for the crowd after the races to the late hours of the day. The new Brasserie by the paddock will open for the first time for owners, trainers and friends. It will close again after the event as the kitchens are not quite finished yet, and after the final touches are made it will be open every week for lunch from Wednesday to Sunday in addition to racing days. Many hospitality events are available for the public and the members on Sunday for the big opening, and most are available for booking either on the France Galop website or through the French Racing and Breeding Committee.
The five meetings held at ParisLongchamp since the opening have allowed the France Galop team to make the required amendments so that everybody can move around and find the right place to enjoy the action. The next step will be the Qatar Arc weekend, on the first Sunday in October. The biggest crowd of the French season will gather at ParisLongchamp for the first time after two years of scenic exile by Chantilly's castle and its Grandes Écuries. By then, ParisLongchamp will have reached full gear. But acceleration is more exciting than speed, isn't it?
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