Paris:Two Group 1 races for purebred Arabian horses were held at the beginning of the 2026 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe's major events at the Saint-Cloud Racecourse in Paris, France. According to Qatar News Agency, the event, sponsored by the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC), was attended by QREC Chairman Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Attiyah and Vice Chairman Rashid Nasser Sraiya Al Kaabi. Also present were France Galop's President Guillaume de Saint-Seine and Vice President Arnaud de Seyssel. Al Shaqab Racing achieved a dominant performance on the first day, winning both races. Sheikh Hamad bin Joaan Al-Thani received the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Poulains for three-year-olds from QREC board member Abdulrahman bin Mansour Al Mansour, alongside France Galop President Guillaume de Saint-Seine. In the Qatar Arabian Trophy for three-year-old fillies, Balsam, owned and bred by Al Shaqab Racing, ridden by Pierre-Charles Boudot, secured victory in the 2000-meter race. The competition included 13 fillies and marked Balsam's first win at Group 1 level, under the guidance of trainer Xavier Thomas-Demeaulte. Narbonne finished in second place, completing a 1-2 finish for the trainer. Al Shaqab Racing's Msaieed, an Azadi colt, initiated the Group 1 double by winning the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Poulains. Ridden by Jean-Bernard Eyquem and trained by Thomas Fourcy, Msaieed achieved his first victory at this elite level.