Cygames Appointed Main Sponsor of French G1 Grand Prix de Paris, to be Held as the Cygames Grand Prix de Paris NEW
Video game publisher and developer Cygames, Inc. (HQ: Shibuya, Tokyo; President: Koichi Watanabe, hereinafter referred to as "Cygames") has formed a partnership with France Galop, the organizer of French horse racing, becoming the main sponsor of the annual Grand Prix de Paris, to be held this year on Sunday, July 13, in Paris, France. As part of the sponsorship agreement, the race will be dubbed the Cygames Grand Prix de Paris.
The Grand Prix de Paris: a G1 Race with over 150 Years of History
The Grand Prix de Paris is an international race held in France since 1863. Each year, Europe’s top three-year-old colts and fillies compete for G1 glory on ParisLongchamp Racecourse’s 2,400-meter (12-furlong) turf track. The race is also known for its post-race music and entertainment—an event called La Garden Party. With around 18,000 spectators from France and abroad in 2024, the race is among the most prestigious in Europe.
The Cygames Grand Prix de Paris
The Grand Prix de Paris will carry the Cygames name in conjunction with the partnership, along with two additional races on the same day: Handicap de la Fête Nationale and Prix de Malleret. The Cygames logo will be featured on the race program, signage, saddle cloths, tote board, and starting gate of these races.
Messages from the Representatives
Elie Hennau, Managing Director of France Galop
France Galop is particularly pleased to announce this partnership with Cygames, a leading Japanese entertainment company, for the much-anticipated Grand Prix de Paris and its Garden Party. This partnership is yet another step in France Galop’s ambition to put racing back in the hearts of the French public by reaching new audiences—especially younger generations who are increasingly interested in the events we host at our racecourses. The appeal of this festive and sporting day is further enhanced by the creative energy of an international entertainment brand.
A Message from Koichi Watanabe, President of Cygames
It is a great honor to partner with France Galop, organizers of such prestigious French horse racing events as the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and we are incredibly proud to be appointed main sponsor of a race as storied as the Grand Prix de Paris. Cygames strives to share dreams and smiles with a global audience as the best in entertainment, and we will soon be releasing the English-language version of our real-life horse racing-inspired game Umamusume: Pretty Derby on June 26. We have put our deepest appreciation for the history and culture of racing into the game, and we hope that as the first Japanese company to partner with France Galop, our passion will reach countless racing fans on the Grand Prix de Paris’s global stage.
Cygames Grand Prix de Paris Details
| Race Name | Cygames Grand Prix de Paris |
|---|---|
| Date | 4th race on Sunday, July 13, 2025 (CEST) |
| Venue | ParisLongchamp Racecourse (Paris, France) |
| Total Prize Value | €600,000 |
| Distance & Qualifications | 2,400m turf, 3-year-old colts and fillies |
| Official Website | https://www.francegalop-live.com/en/event/la-garden-party/ |
| Official Social Media Accounts | Facebook：https://www.facebook.com/francegalop/ X：https://twitter.com/francegalop Instagram：https://www.instagram.com/francegalop/ TikTok：https://www.tiktok.com/@francegalop YouTube：https://www.youtube.com/user/FranceGalopTV |
Cygames Handicap de la Fête Nationale Details
| Race Name | Cygames Handicap de la Fête Nationale |
|---|---|
| Date | 1st race on Sunday, July 13, 2025 (CEST) |
| Total Prize Value | €59,000 |
| Distance & Qualifications | 2,000m turf; stallions, geldings, and mares aged 4 and over |
Cygames Prix de Malleret Details
| Race Name | Cygames Prix de Malleret |
|---|---|
| Date | 3rd race on Sunday, July 13, 2025 (CEST) |
| Total Prize Value | €119,000 |
| Distance & Qualifications | 2,400m turf, 3-year-old fillies |
* Race order and time are subject to change. Please refer to the France Galop official website for details:
https://www.france-galop.com/en/racing/meeting/20250713/dTBtUk50T2Z4NVpwbHI5OFRYazI3QT09