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Prix de Diane LONGINES. Chantilly. (3-year-old fillies, 1 mile 2 ½ furlongs, Group I, 1,000,000 Euros).

The very first Prix de Diane was run at Chantilly on Thursday 18 May 1843 over 1 mile 2 ½ furlongs. This race for 3 year-old fillies was created by the Société d'Encouragement pour l'amélioration des races de chevaux in France as a French equivalent to the Oaks Stakes which had been run at Epsom, in England, since 1779. The English race, however, was 300 metres longer.

The Prix de Diane wasn’t run in 1871, from 1915 to 1918, in 1940 and in 1975. It was run in Versailles in 1848; at Longchamp in 1919, 1920, 1936, 1941, 1942, 1945, 1946, 1947; and at Tremblay in 1943 and 1944 over 1 mile 2 ¾ furlongs. The race was postponed six times because of war and once, in 1975, when Ivanjica was the favourite, because the stable lads went on strike. The race record was set in 1985 by Lypharita, who covered the mile 2 ½ furlongs in 2' 5'' 90/100, a time equalled in 2006 by Confidential Lady. In 2012, the Prix de Diane Longines will be contested for the 163rd time.

A brief history
The first running brought together six horses and was won by the favourite, Nativa, owned by prince Marc de Beauveau, trained by Henry Jennings and ridden by his brother Tom. His victory was facilitated, however, when Mam'zelle Amanda’s jockey lost a stirrup when he seemed all set to pip the favourite to the post.

This first Prix de Diane was hardly a big event. La Presse reported that only three ladies watched the race from the stands "Mesdames de Vatry, de Thorigny and a new bride". In fact, the death of the Duke of Orléans (son of King Louis-Philippe) in July 1842 meant that the royal family weren’t present at Chantilly. The royal entourage generally came to watch the races at Chantilly which took place within sight of the chateau windows. As the quality of participating fillies increased, so the Prix de Diane became known as the “Derby for Fillies".

Generally speaking the Prix de Diane attracts a large field. Twenty fillies have gone to post on twenty five occasions. The record number, 27, went to post in 1946 when Pirette triumphed. Twenty five have gone to post on 4 occasions (1926, 1927, 1959, 1973).

Between 1843 and 1851, the post-race report doesn’t mention by what distance the winning filly won the race. Thereafter, for a number of years, winning post judges noted the victory not by lengths but with the words: "long" for Etoile du Nord (1858), "easy" for Géologie (1859) and "very easy" for La Toucques (1863) and Deliane (1865). We can therefore assume that these fillies won the Prix de Diane at a canter! After them, Two fillies have triumphed by 5 lengths: Dorina in 1926 and Northern Trick in 1984 and ten by 4 lengths: Jouvence (1853), Fille de l'Air (1864), Tyrolienne (1875), Liane (1896), Moïa (1913), Quenouille (1919), Lysistrata (1939), Apollonia (1956), Madam Gay (1981) and Indian Skimmer (1987).

The race has finished in a dead-heat twice. Both times the owners decided to re-run the distance to decide on a winner. The two winning fillies on these occasions were Destinée in 1874 and Tyrolienne in 1875. Three horses won by the shortest distance, - a nose – Pistol Packer, who just pipped Cambrizzia in 1971, Dunette just ahead of Three Troikas in 1979 and Shemaka just in front of Baya in 1993. Short head victories were registered by Qu'elle Est Belle II over Porte Maillot in 1912, Perruche Bleue over stable companion Ligne de Fond in 1932, La Sorellina over Banassa in 1953, Mrs Penny over Aryenne in 1980, Lypharita over Fitnah in 1985 and Zainta over Abbatiale in 1998.

The interval between the running of the Prix de Diane and the Oaks has varied over the years. When the two races have been run with a two week gap between them it has been possible for a filly to run in both races: Fille de l'Air owned by Comte de Lagrange triumphed at Chantilly then at Epsom in 1864 and Pawneese owned by Daniel Wildenstein won on 4 June 1976 at Epsom and on 13 June at Chantilly.

Sponsorship
The Prix de Diane was sponsored from 1977 to 1982 by Revlon. Then from 1983 to 2007, the reins were taken over by Hermès, who created a village on part of the lawn in front of the stands to accommodate the numerous guests who responded to Hermès’ invitation to "Let elegance reign!". After three years without a sponsor, in 2011 the Prix de Diane found a new patron in the shape of Longines, who manufacture luxury watches and high-precision timekeeping equipment.

Foreign competitors
Like the Prix du Jockey Club, the Prix de Diane was, until 1946, reserved for fillies born and bred in France. When this restriction was lifted, the horses from abroad did not make the trip to Chantilly immediately, and it was not until 1970 that one of these overseas visitors was victorious. The filly in question was Ireland’s Sweet Mimosa, owned by her trainer Seamus McGrath, who finished just ahead of England’s Highest Hopes. Since then, the victorious visitors have included Highclere (1974), owned by Queen Elizabeth II of England, Mrs Penny (1980), Madam Gay (1981), Indian Skimmer (1987), Rafha (1990) and Sil Sila (1996), all of whom came from the United Kingdom. Over the last eight years, the overseas raiders had to content themselves with places, including second for Time Ahead in 2003, fourth for Ireland’s Alexander Goldrun in 2004, third for the German Paita in 2005 and finally a winner in the shape of Confidential Lady in 2006.

Owners
The record of six wins is held jointly by Auguste Lupin: Suavita (1845), Jouvence (1853), Deliane (1865), Jeune Première (1867), La Jonchère (1877) and Presta (1886); and Prince Karim Aga Khan: Shemaka (1993), Vereva (1997), Zainta (1998), Daryaba (1999), Zarkava (2008) and Sarafina (2010). 

Next come:
5 Prince Marc de Beauvau: Nativa (1843), Lanterne (1844), Dorade (1846), Sérénade (1848) and Fleur de Marie (1850).
5 Comte Frédéric de Lagrange: Mademoiselle de Chantilly (1857), Etoile du Nord (1858), Finlande (1861), Fille de l'Air (1864) and Jenny (1868).
5 Edmond Blanc: Nubienne (1879), Profane (1904), Médéah (1908), Union (1909) and Marsa (1910).
5 Baron Edouard de Rothschild: Quenouille (1919), Flowershop (1920), Perruche Bleue (1932), Vendange (1933) and Péniche (1935).
5 Marcel Boussac: Adargatis (1934), Caravelle (1943), Corteira (1948), Apollonia (1956) and Crepellana (1969).
4 Henri Delamarre: Victorieuse (1866), Campêche (1873), Verte Bonne (1883) and Kasbah (1895).
4 Daniel Wildenstein*: Allez France (1973), Pawneese (1976), Madelia (1977) and Aquarelliste (2001).
3 Baron Léon Nivière**: Géologie (1859), Surprise (1860) and Stradella (1862).
3 Paul Aumont: Destinée (1874), Mademoiselle de Senlis (1882) and Praline (1893).
3 Baron Alphonse de Rothschild: Brie (1878), Crinière (1889) and Brisk (1894).
3 Michel Ephrussi: Barberine (1885), Bavarde (1887) and Primrose (1891).
3 Baron Guy de Rothschild: Cerisoles (1957), Timandra (1960) and Hermières (1961).
2 Alexandre Aumont: Hervine (1851) and Dame d'Honneur (1856).
2 Thomas Carter: Bounty (1852) and Honesty (1854).
2 Maurice Caillault: Roxelane (1897) and Moïa (1913).
2 Baron Maurice de Rothschild: Doniazade (1921) and Féerie (1938).
2 Mlle Diana Esmond: Pearl Cap (1931) and Mistress Ford (1936).
2 François Dupré: Dushka (1958) and La Sega (1962).
2 Stavros Niarchos***: Northern Trick (1984) and East of the Moon (1994).
2 Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum: Indian Skimmer (1987) and West Wind (2007).
2 Khaled Abdullah: Jolypha (1992) and Nebraska Tornado (2003).

* The victory obtained by Bright Sky (2002), running under the same colours which became those of the Wildenstein Stable after the death of Daniel Wildenstein in the autumn of 2001, could also be attributed to him.
** He was also in partnership with Charles Laffitte in the stable bearing the name of "Major Fridolin", owner of Sornette, a winner in 1870.
*** The victory obtained by Divine Proportions (2005), running under the same colours which became those of the Niarchos Family.

Trainers
The record of nine victories is held by Henry Jennings: Nativa (1843), Lanterne (1844), Dorade (1846), Sérénade (1848), Fleur de Marie (1850), Géologie (1859), Surprise (1860), Destinée (1874) and Tyrolienne (1875).

Next come:
7 Tom Jennings: Hervine (1851), Dame d'Honneur (1856), Mademoiselle de Chantilly (1857), Etoile du Nord (1858), Finlande (1861), Fille de l'Air (1864) and Jenny (1868).
6 Alain de Royer-Dupré: Shemaka (1993), Vereva (1997), Zainta (1998), Daryaba (1999), Zarkava (2008) and Sarafina (2010).
4 Thomas-Richard Carter: Victorieuse (1866), Campêche (1873), Verte Bonne (1883) and Kasbah (1895).
4 George Cunnington: Barberine (1885), Bavarde (1887), Primrose (1891) and Liane (1896).
4 Robert Denman: Profane (1904), Médéah (1908), Union (1909) and Marsa (1910).
4 Frank Carter: Uganda (1924), Dorina (1926), Pearl Cap (1931) and Mistress Ford (1936).
4 Lucien Robert: Ukrania (1929), Perruche Bleue (1932), Vendange (1933) and Péniche (1935).
4 Geoffroy Watson: Cerisoles (1957), Timandra (1960), Hermières (1961) and Rescousse (1972).
4 François Boutin: Northern Trick (1984), Lacovia (1986), Resless Kara (1988) and East of the Moon (1994). 
4 André Fabre: Lypharita (1985), Jolypha (1992), Nebraska Tornado (2003) and Golden Lilac (2011).
3 J. Hayhoe: Deliane (1865), Jeune Première (1867) and La Jonchère (1877).
3 Richard Carter senior: Versigny (1880), Solange (1888) and Annita (1892).
3 Fred Carter: Serpolette II (1881), Mademoiselle de Senlis (1882) and Frégate (1884).
2 Richard Carter junior: Roxelane (1897) and Qu'elle est Belle II (1912).
2 George Cunnington junior: Clyde (1905) and Rose Verte (1911).
2 Clément Duval: Flowershop (1920) and Aquatinte II (1925).
2 Henry Count: Fairy Legend (1927) and Mary Legend (1928).
2 Percy Carter: Commanderie (1930) and Lysistrata (1939).
2 Charles Semblat: Caravelle (1943) and Corteira (1948).
2 John Cunnington: Pointe à Pitre (1944) and Douve (1955).
2 René Pelat: Nikellora (1945) and Bagheera (1949).
2 Etienne Pollet: La Sorellina (1953) and Tahiti (1954).
2 François Mathet: Dushka (1958) and La Sega (1962).
2 Richard Carver junior: Barquette (1959) and Belle Ferronnière (1963).
2 Alec Head: Pistol Packer (1971) and Reine de Saba (1978).
2 Angel Penna: Pawneese (1976) and Madelia (1977).
2 Mme Christiane Head-Maarek: Harbour (1982) and Egyptband (2000).
2 André Fabre: Lypharita (1985) and Jolypha (1992).
2 Henry Cecil: Indian Skimmer (1987) and Rafha (1990).
2 Elie Lellouche: Aquarelliste (2001) and Bright Sky (2002).

Only two women to have trained Prix de Diane winners: Mme Christiane Head-Maarek: Harbour (1982) and Egyptband (2000); Mme Corine Barbe: Carling (1995)

Jockeys
The record of five victories is jointly held by Spreoty: Sérénade (1848), Hervine (1851), Dame d'Honneur (1858), Mademoiselle de Chantilly (1857), Etoile du Nord (1858); Charles Pratt: Géologie (1859), Finlande (1861), Stradella (1862), Fille de l'Air (1864), Sornette (1870);
Yves Saint-Martin: La Sega (1962), Rescousse (1972), Allez France (1973), Pawneese (1976), Madelia (1977); and Gérald Mossé: Resless Kara (1988), Shemaka (1993), Vereva (1997), Zainta (1998), Daryaba (1999).

Next come:
4 George Stern: Profane (1904), Médéah (1908), Union (1909) and Marsa (1910).
4 Freddy Head: Pistol Packer (1971), Reine de Saba (1978), Harbour (1982) and Lacovia (1986).
3 Edgar Rolfe: Verte Bonne (1883), Presta (1886) and Kasbah (1895).
3 A.-E. Dodge: Frégate (1884), Bavarde (1887) and Solange (1888).
3 François Hervé: Ukrania (1929), Commanderie (1930) and Perruche Bleue (1932).
3 Lester Piggott: Mrs Penny (1980), Madam Gay (1981) and Lypharita (1985).
3 Cash Asmussen: Northern Trick (1984), East of the Moon (1994) and Sil Sila (1996).
3 Christophe-Patrice Lemaire: Divine Proportions (2005), Stacelita (2009) and Sarafina (2010).
2 Edward Flatman: Fleur de Marie (1850) and Bounty (1852).
2 E. Kitchener: Deliane (1865) and Jeune Première (1867).
2 Alfred Carratt: Destinée (1874) and Tyrolienne (1875).
2 F. Storr: Mademoiselle de Senlis (1882) and Annita (1892).
2 E. Cooke: Wandora (1890) and Primrose (1891).
2 Edouard Watkins: Praline (1893) and La Camargo (1901).
2 William Pratt: Semendria (1900) and Kizil Kourgan (1902).
2 Maurice Barat: Alerte VI (1904) and Quenouille (1919).
2 Jack Jennings: Pellsie (1922) and Uganda (1924).
2 Frank Keogh: Fairy Legend (1927) and Mary Legend (1928).
2 Charles Elliott: Pearl Cap (1931) and Adargatis (1934).
2 Charles Bouillon: Vendange (1933) and Bagheera (1949).
2 Henri Signoret: Pirette (1946) and Pointe à Pitre (1944).
2 Roger Poincelet: Corteira (1948) and Crepellana (1969).
2 Paul Blanc: Seria (1952) and Cerisoles (1957).
2 Maurice Larraun: La Sorellina (1953) and Tahiti (1954).
2 Jean-Pierre Boullenger: Timandra (1960) and Hermières (1961).
2 Dominique Bœuf: Aquarelliste (2001) and Bright Sky (2002).
2 Christophe Soumillon: Latice (2004) and Zarkava (2008).

The second ever Prix de Diane was won by a French jockey, Hardy Jeune riding Lanterne. Ten years later another Frenchman, Zacharie Caillotin, was first past the post on Honesty (1854). Another 60 years would pass, however, before another French jockey, Maurice Barat, rode the winner; Alerte VI, in 1914.

Stallions
Stallions having sired at least 3 Prix de Diane winners.
4 Belfonds, sire of Commanderie (1930), Vendange (1933), Péniche (1935) and Lysistrata (1939).
3 Gladiator, sire of Honesty (1854), Mademoiselle de Chantilly (1857) and Surprise (1860).
3 The Baron, sire of Dame d'Honneur (1856), Etoile du Nord (1858) and La Toucques (1863).
3 Ruy Blas, sire of Destinée (1874), Nubienne (1879) and Serpolette II (1881).

Brood mares
Fillies who have won the Prix de Diane and also been the dam of the winner.
Surprise (1860) dam of Sornette (1870).
Deliane (1865) dam of La Jonchère (1877).
Brie (1878) dam of Brisk (1894).
Kasbah (1895) dam of Kizil Kourgan (1902).
Uganda (1924) dam of krania (1929).
Fairy Legend (1927) dam of Féerie (1938).

Brood mares who have produced several Prix de Diane winners.
Naïad dam of Nativa (1843) and Dorade (1846).
Elvira dam of Lanterne (1844) and Suavita (1845).
Annetta dam of Bounty (1852) and Dame d'Honneur (1856).
Congressiste dam of Fairy Legend (1927) and Mary Legend (1928).