Event Report: Cygames Sponsors the Grand Prix de Paris!

On June 16, 2025, Cygames announced its partnership with France Galop, the primary organizer of French horse racing, to become the main sponsor of the Grand Prix de Paris, which was held on July 13 under the title, “Cygames Grand Prix de Paris.”
Get a taste of the energy at Longchamp Racecourse in this event report—we’ll look back on how the big day played out behind the scenes and get insight from a Cygames event coordinator who helped make the sponsorship happen!

Over 150 Years of History
The Grand Prix de Paris

Established in 1863, the Grand Prix de Paris is a Group 1 turf race held at Longchamp Racecourse over a distance of 12 furlongs, or approximately 2,400 meters. One of the most renowned races in Europe, it draws the top three-year-old colts and fillies from across the continent. In 2024, a crowd of 18,000 flocked to Paris from all over France and beyond to watch the races and enjoy the iconic Garden Party, a night of music and entertainment following the main event.

With Cygames as its main sponsor, the race was held this year as the Cygames Grand Prix de Paris. Also as a result of the partnership—the first ever between France Galop and a Japanese company—two other races held earlier in the day, the Handicap de la Fete Nationale and Prix de Malleret, were also held as title races under the Cygames banner.

The Sponsored Races Deliver!
A Digest of the Action

Of the eight races run at Longchamp on July 13, the first to bear the Cygames name was the Handicap de la Fete Nationale, a 2,000-meter turf race open to thoroughbreds four years old and up. After a tense contest, Ganass (FR) found his moment to make a break for it and prevail over his twelve opponents.

Ganass, front, emerged victorious. (Watch the race here.)

Second of the Cygames races was the Prix de Malleret, a Group 2 race for three-year-old fillies run over 2,400 meters of turf. It was a small field at only five horses, but it turned out to be a nail-biter, with the stalking Qilin Queen (IRE) clinching the win in the end.

The final and main highlight of the day was the Cygames Grand Prix de Paris, a turf race over 2,400 meters open to three-year-old colts and fillies. After trailing behind in the field of six, Leffard (FR) surged ahead in the second half to edge out Trinity College (IRE) by a mere short head in a dramatic show that had the grandstand erupting in cheers.

Leffard, front, edged out his opponent. (Watch the race here.)

Racecourse by Day, Concert Venue by Night?
The Garden Party

After night fell, Longchamp underwent a complete transformation as the annual Garden Party got started. The popular French electronic duo Trinix and other renowned artists took to the stage, enchanting guests with electrifying performances!

“La Garden Party.” The beautiful Longchamp Racecourse enthralled its visitors with races during the day and music at night.

Overall, it was a day packed full of entertainment, with something for everyone all in one place, from horse racing to concerts.

Sponsoring a Prestigious European Race
An Interview with a Cygames Event Coordinator

For a look behind the scenes, we asked an event coordinator in charge of the sponsorship for the inside scoop on how it came to be and how it turned out in their eyes.

What led up to this sponsorship?

gutenberg-examples
Event Coordinator
We decided to form a partnership and sponsor the Grand Prix de Paris after receiving a sponsorship opportunity from France Galop.
Given the importance of horse racing to the media we produce as a company, we are always working to spread not just our name but horse racing culture itself to a larger audience. In an expansion of these efforts, we recently sponsored two American racing events, the Breeders’ Cup and the Kentucky Derby. With this latest partnership in France, we wanted to express our respect for the wonderful culture of horse racing and help it reach new fans there and across Europe.
Leffard, the winning horse.
The president of France Galop, Guillaume de Saint-Seine, holding the Cygames mascot and his own phone, on which he installed the English version of Umamusume: Pretty Derby.

Looking back, what are your overall impressions of the event?

gutenberg-examples
Event Coordinator
The opportunity to become main sponsor of a race held at Longchamp, a racecourse well known in Japan as well, came as a pleasant surprise to us. And not just us, I think we were able to surprise and excite racing fans in Japan and around the globe.
An architectural delight amidst a lush forest in the Boulogne neighborhood of western Paris, Longchamp is celebrated as the most beautiful racecourse in the world.

What did you have planned once you arrived in Paris?

gutenberg-examples
Event Coordinator
Our job on the day of the race was to get as many people as possible acquainted with our company. In tandem with staff from Cygames Europe, we invited local media and influencers to come learn about what we do and the content we make, introducing them to not only our games but also our respect and support for racing culture in different locales.
The race program handed out to spectators and guests.

What were the reactions like from people you spoke with?

gutenberg-examples
Event Coordinator
The reception to our sponsorship, the first of its kind for a Japanese company, was extremely positive. We’ve also seen increased interest from foreign media thanks to the global success of Umamusume: Pretty Derby following its English release.
Spectators of all ages and genders enjoying the race from the grandstand.

What can fans expect from your team in the future?

gutenberg-examples
Event Coordinator
We hope to nourish the connections forged through this sponsorship and continue our mission of delivering the best in entertainment to the world. Keep an eye out for what’s next!

That wraps up this event report.
Cygames plans to sponsor more events around the world and continue making content that can be enjoyed on a global scale, so stay tuned!

Related Articles

Event Report: A Cygames Staffer Goes to the 151st Kentucky Derby!
In early May 2025, Cygames participated in the 151st Kentucky Derby. On May 2 (all times local), Kentucky Oaks Day, Cygames sponsored a race called the "Unbridled Sidney Stakes Presented by Cygames," and on May 2 and 3, the company hoste...
Cygames Magazine | Cygames
2025.08.18
Umamusume Featured in an Exhibit at Kentucky Horse Park!
Uma no Kokoro, an exhibit celebrating Japanese equestrian history and culture, is now on display at the Kentucky Horse Park (KHP) in Kentucky, USA, until 2026, January 4, and features Umamusume: Pretty Derby as part of its section on horse racing ...
Cygames Magazine | Cygames
2025.07.16
From the Crew: Celebrating the English Release of Umamusume: Pretty Derby
Umamusume English version marketing team memberThe English version of Umamusume: Pretty Derby (hereinafter "Umamusume") flew out of the gates on June 26, 2025! English-speaking trainers can now join their counterparts who are already enj...
Cygames Magazine | Cygames
2025.06.27