The Grand Prix de Paris is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It takes place annually at Longchamp Racecourse, presently in mid July over a distance of 2,400 metres (approximately 1½ miles).
First run on May 31, 1863, the race was created as a showpiece event for top class three-year-olds. It was the first race in France to allow the participation of foreign horses and the inaugural winner was a British colt named The Ranger. Taking place two weeks after the Prix du Jockey Club, it enabled the leading contenders from that race to compete against those from the English Derby, earning great prestige for the winner. The initial prize of 100,000 francs was raised by the Duc de Morny, who obtained half of the money from the Paris Municipal Council and an equal share of the remainder from each of the five main regional railway companies. Prior to the introduction of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 1920 it was the richest and most prestigious event in French racing.
The race was abandoned in 1871 due to the Franco-Prussian War and also in 1915 and 1916 because of World War I. There were no cancellations during World War II, although in 1943 and 1944 the venue was temporarily switched to Tremblay.
From its launch until 1963 the Grand Prix de Paris was contested over 3,000 metres. It was then extended to 3,100 metres until reverting to its former length in 1978. By this time, however, such a long distance seemed excessive and the race rarely attracted the Derby winners for whom it was originally intended. A decline in quality was illustrated in 1986 when the race was won by Swink, a horse with no previous victories. To restore the race's reputation the distance was shortened to 2,000 metres in 1987.
Several changes were made in 2005 as part of a restructured race programme for three-year-olds in France. The distance of the Grand Prix de Paris was increased to 2,400 metres while that of the Prix du Jockey Club was cut to 2,100 metres. The time and date of the Grand Prix were also modified – having taken place previously on a Sunday afternoon in late June, it was moved to the evening of July 14, the French national holiday of Bastille Day.
The Grand Prix de Paris has been won twenty-three times by the winner of the Prix du Jockey Club, a double most recently achieved by Peintre Celebre in 1997. Six winners of the English Derby have won the race, the latest of which was Phil Drake in 1955. Rail Link is the most recent of eight horses to win both the Grand Prix de Paris and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Eleven fillies have won, but none since Bagheera in 1949. The most recent filly to finish in the frame was Guislaine, third in 1992, and the last to run in the race was Moonlight Dance in 1994.
From 1988 to 1992 the race was sponsored by Louis Vuitton. The present sponsor, Juddmonte Farms, has supported the race since 2001.
Records
Leading jockey (6 wins):
- Tom Lane – Stuart (1888), Fitz Roya (1890), Clamart (1891), Rueil (1892), Ragotsky (1893), Perth (1899)
Leading trainer (9 wins):
- François Mathet – Northern Light (1953), Phil Drake (1955), Vattel (1956), Reliance (1965), Danseur (1966), Rheffic (1971), Exceller (1976), Soleil Noir (1979), Le Nain Jaune (1982)
- André Fabre – Dancehall (1989), Subotica (1991), Homme de Loi (1992), Fort Wood (1993), Grape Tree Road (1996), Peintre Celebre (1997), Limpid (1998), Slickly (1999), Rail Link (2006)
Leading owner (7 wins):
- Edmond Blanc – Nubienne (1879), Clamart (1891), Rueil (1892), Andree (1895), Arreau (1896), Quo Vadis (1903), Ajax (1904)
Winners since 1970
Earlier winners
* The 1867 race finished as a dead-heat between Fervacques and Patricien but was decided by a run-off.
References
- France-Galop.com
- PedigreeQuery.com
- Racing Post:
- 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997
- 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
- 2008
- galop.courses-france.com:
- tbheritage.com
See also
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