22 February 2018
Photo scoopdyga.com
921 entries were received Wednesday morning by France Galop for the Abu Dhabi Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French 2,000 Guineas-Gr1, 123 entries), Abu Dhabi Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French 1,000 Guineas-Gr1, 139 entries), The Gurkha Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary (Gr1, 165 entries), the Qipco Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby-Gr1, 173 entries), the Prix de Diane Longines (French Oaks-Gr1, 188 entries) and the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris (Gr1, 133 entries).
This figure is to be compared with the 941 entries recorded last year, a slight 2% decrease despite a significant hike in the entry fees this season. "French and international owners alike responded well and France Galop wishes to thank them for their participation in the effort shared by all owners, said Édouard de Rothschild, President of France Galop. This is a testimony to our selection program and it is much apperciated."
In total, € 1,877,550 were paid into the pool for the 6 races, an increase of 22% on last year, and a result substantially equal to that of 2016.
It should be noted that 35 of the top 45 best European juveniles of 2017, including eight from the top 11, are involved in at least one of these races, 26 being entered in at least 2 races. Of the 30 who reached their best rating over 7 furlongs and over in 2017, 29 are entered. For example, the three best horses in the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Gr1, picture above), on Arc weekend in 2017, are all entered in at least two events.
Details of entries are available in our Group1 Racing section.