Life-size figures of Umamusume characters Orfevre and Gold Ship will be displayed in the race's venue as part of the sponsorship.
Umamusume: Pretty Derby developer Cygames announced on Wednesday (9 September) that it has entered a landmark partnership with France Galop, the official organiser for horse racing in France, to become a premium sponsor for the upcoming Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, also referred to as the l'Arc, is one of the most prestigious G1 races in the world and features the biggest prize pool in Europe at €5 million (over US$5.8 million). It is ran annually at the Longchamp Racecourse in Paris over 2,400 meters on turf. This year, the l'Arc will be held on 4 October.
As the l'Arc's new premium partner, Cygames will have their logo displayed on race programs handed out at the venue and trackside board signage. There will also be life-sized figures of Umamusume characters Orfevre and Gold Ship, who were inspired by Japanese racehorses that challenged the l'Arc in real life.
Among the Japanese entrants in this year's l'Arc is the five-year old colt Meisho Tabaru, with the legendary Take Yutaka as his jockey. Meisho Tabaru is notably a son of Gold Ship, with the two becoming the first father-son duo to win the prestigious G1 Takarazuka Kinen in back-to-back years.
Why is Cygames sponsoring the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe?
Cygames has sponsored multiple races across the world, with their efforts notably ramping up following the release of Umamusume's global version. With that said, their new sponsorship of the l'Arc is something special.
The l'Arc has long enamored the Japanese horse racing industry, with many of the country's legendary racehorses competing in it over the past decades. While no Japanese racehorse has ever claimed victory in the l'Arc, three did come very close. First was El Condor Pasa, who finished second by a length in 1999, then Nakayama Festa, who was beaten by a head in 2010. Orfevre then finished second in back-to-back years, narrowly losing by a neck in 2012 and by five lengths in 2013. Those three horses notably inspired Umamusume characters.
Japan's long-running dream to win the l'Arc has even made its way into Umamusume in the form of the ‘Reach for the stars, Project l’Arc' scenario, released as the Japanese version of the game's sixth Career Mode scenario back in August 2023. In the Project l'Arc scenario, players are tasked with helping their Umamusume become the first Japanese winner of the prestigious race.
Alongside the real-life activations coming with the sponsorship, Umamusume's Japanese version is also getting additional content themed around the l'Arc. Starting on 11 September, Umamusume characters El Condor Pasa and Nakayama Festa, who were both inspired by horses that finished second in the l'Arc, will get access to Awakening levels 6 and 7. Players will also receive a gift package that includes 500 Carats and get access to special l'Arc-themed gacha banners.
In addition, a new Champions Meeting Classic event will be hosted starting on 29 September, with players racing their Umamusume against other trainers in the Longchamp Racecourse that hosts the l'Arc.
Cygames president Koichi Watanabe notably referenced Japan's l'Arc aspirations in a press release announcing the company's sponsorship of the race.
“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,” said Watanabe.
“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.”
