30 November 2016
Crédit photo : scoopdyga.com
The flat racing calendar of 2017 has been modified to streamline the preparatory program for the classic majors, and to improve our top races visibility by scheduling most of them on weekends. Moreover, considering the public success of mini-meetings, in France as well as internationally, the Poules d'Essai (French Guineas) and the Prix de Diane Longines (French Oaks) will now showcase complete weekends...
NEW ROUTES TO THE CLASSIC EVENTS
PRIX DU JOCKEY CLUB (Sunday, June 4th, 2017)
Prix Maurice Caillault (L) run on March 10th at Fontainebleau on 1,800 meters (9 furlongs), instead of 2,000 meters at Saint-Cloud.
Prix La Force (Gr3) is also shortened by 200 metres to 1,800 metres. It will take place on April 9 in Chantilly, not Saint-Cloud.
Prix de Suresnes (L) programmed on 2,000 meters on April 25 at Maisons-Laffitte (right hand course).
Prix de Diane Longines (Sunday, June 18, 2017)
Prix Vanteaux (Gr3), over 1,800 meters, moved from May 20 to April 9, to avoid proximity to the Prix Saint-Alary and the Prix Cléopâtre.
Prix Finlande (L), on the same distance, delayed by one month, takes place on May 28 in Chantilly, its conditions will be more open.
Juddmonte Grand Prix of Paris (Friday, July 14, 2017)
This new program was modified to get more runners and to offer a sound alternative to the Prix du Jockey Club.
Prix de l'Avre (L, 2,400m) will take place on May 1st 2017 in Saint-Cloud (May 23rd in 2016).
Prix du Lys (Gr3, 2,400m) is scheduled on May 23, 2017 in Saint-Cloud, not mid-June in Chantilly.
Prix Hocquart (Gr2, 2,000m) takes place on June 18, 2017 in Saint-Cloud, instead of May 15 in Deauville.
Regional Listed Races (local Derbies) also altered to better suit the Parisian program :
Coupe des 3 ans moving from 5 May to 26 May of the 3-year Cup in Lyon-Parilly.
Shortening of the Bordeaux on May 28 to 1 900 m.Derby du Midi in
FRENCH GUINEAS AND OAKS WEEKENDS
The success of the Poules d'Essai meeting in Deauville on 15 May 2016 convinced France Galop to extend this program to the entire weekend. Thus, in the wake of Arqana's breeze-up sales (Friday, May 12, 2017), the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French 1,000 Guineas) will take place on Saturday, May 13 while the Poule des Poulains (French 2,000) and the Prix Saint-Alary (Gr1, French Musidora) will be held on the Sunday.
The Prix de Diane Longines, a showcase event of international fame, will also head a complete weekend in Chantilly, with the Prix Paul de Moussac and La Coupe on Saturday, June 17th, the Prix de Diane Longines, the Prix Hocquart and the Prix Bertrand du Breuil on Sunday.
CHANGES IN THE CALENDAR OF GROUP RACES
In 2016, the Prix d'Ispahan, Vanteaux, Noailles, Grotte, Fontainebleau, Pénélope, Allez France, Guiche, Arenberg, Aumale, Chênes, Pin and La Coupe were held on weekdays. All were brought back on weekend meetings, most on Sundays.
The same applies to the following jumps events :
- Meeting of the President of the Republic scheduled on Easter Monday (17 April)
- Grande Course de Haies de Printemps scheduled on Saturday 29 April with Ingré, Jean Stern and Amadou.
- Le Murat passes from Friday to Saturday 8 April.