FRANCE Galop were well satisfied with the attendance figures during the Qatar Arc weekend when 71, 212 enthusiasts turned up at the Bois de Boulogne track which attracted a public of 58,028 on Arc day.

The figures were the best for 15 years and showed a healthy increase on 2014. More than 1,600 spectators crammed into the stand specially reserved for the fans of Treve.

The sale of coloured bracelets made €60,000 for the charity “Mecenat Chirurgie Cardiaque” which funds heart operations for children.

If there had been a Japanese runner in the Arc, the attendance would have burst through the 60,000 barrier.

Good as these statistics were, they were far removed from the balmy period between the two World Wars.

On June 27th, 1926, the Grand Prix de Paris went to Take My Tip and 166,435 paying customers saw the victory before packing their bags for the start of the traditionally long French summer holidays.

Betting turnover on Arc day was also in positive territory. The big race attracted wagers totalling €17.8 million which was a 10.30% increase compared to the previous year. A total of €25.8 million was gambled on the PMU at Longchamp on October 4th.

This figure was 7.9% superior to 2014 and, when other provincial meetings are taken into account the same day, the figure shows an improvement of 6.4% at €30.5 million.

Not all enthusiasts were happy with the television coverage of Arc day as from time to time the racing Channel Equidia switched over to the minor meeting at Strasbourg.

They have little option as their main viewers are punters and Equidia is financed by the Pari Mutuel Urbain (off course tote).

Sadly, there is not enough interest in the sport for a major TV company to cover racing like Channel 4 does in Great Britain and, indeed, at Longchamp.