Flat Racing - Major changes in the 2025 programme
Qatar Arc Trials, Prix du Moulin de Longchamp and Prix Vicomtesse Vigier
In a press conference on Tuesday, 18 February 2025, France Galop announced changes to the upcoming 2025 flat racing programme. This year, several improvements have been made to the French programme.
Guillaume de Saint-Seine, Chairman of France Galop, Arnaud de Seyssel, Vice-Chairman of France Galop, as well as Chairman of the French Pattern Committee, a new focus group launched in France in 2024, Henri Pouret, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of France Galop, and Pierre Laperdrix, in charge of the Race Planning & Programme Department at France Galop, were present at this press conference.
KEY DISCUSSION POINTS:
Sunday 27 April : Prix Ganay and announcements regarding the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
The Prix Ganay, the 1st European Group 1 race of the season, will take place on Sunday 27 April, at ParisLongchamp. For France Galop, this will also be an opportunity to announce changes to the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and the implementation of a system of qualifying races. The concept of these qualifiers was revealed during the press conference.
Changes to the programme of Black Type races
Changes to the Black Type Programme were also announced. They will be subject to a separate press release in the coming days.
An International Meeting on Sunday, 7 September at ParisLongchamp :
7 September 2025 : A day to mark down in every racing enthusiast’s diary. It is the day of the Qatar Arc Trials, Which includes the Gr1 Qatar Prix Vermeille, Gr2 Qatar Prix Niel and Gr2 Qatar Prix Foy, brought a week forward to take place exactly 4 weeks before the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. The Qatar Prix Dragon has also been moved on that same card.
The G1 Prix du Moulin will see its prizemoney boosted from 450 000 € to 800 000 € with the aim of consolidating its place as one of the great mile events on the international stage.
Detailed press release will follow on Wednesday, 19 February 2025
- Prix Vicomtesse Vigier, a new Gr1 in the programme :
As part of the strategic plan for staying horses, which has already led to a number of improvements in the programme for long-distance races, the European Pattern Committee (EPC) Has approved the promotion of the Prix V.Vigier to Group 1 status. Held on Sunday 25 May 2025, this 3100m event will be the first Gr1 race in Europe for stayers. Prize-money in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier, which was €130 000 as a Gr2 race, has been increased to €400 000.
Detailed press release will follow on Thursday, 20 February 2025
- P2-year-old programme, changes in the autumn :
The 2-year-old programme has also undergone a number of changes, specifically the Prix d’Aumale, which has been upgraded to Gr2 status. In addition, the following races will see either their date, distance or surface changed in order to improve the number of racing opportunities for 2-year-olds :
- Prix des Chênes (Gr3) : Saturday 20 September at Chantilly over 1600m
- Prix de Condé (Gr3) : Friday 3 October at Saint-Cloud over 2000m
- Prix Thomas Bryon (Gr3) : Thursday 18 November at Chantilly over 1800m AWT
- Prix Isonomy (Listed) : Monday 27 October at Chantilly over 1800m AWT
Detailed press release will follow on Friday 21 February 2025
- Prize-money changes :
Prize-money in three races will change as follows: The Gr3 Prix du Palais-Royal, which is strategically placed in the fixture-list, will be worth €150 000 instead of €80 000. Prize-money in the Prix Servanne (Listed), which is a stepping stone for the Prix du Palais-Royal, will be increased from €52 000 to €70 000. Also, the Gr2 Prix Guillaume d’Ornano will see its prize-money reduced from €400 000 to €200 000.
Detailed press release will follow on Saturday 22 February 2025
The Owner’s fund contributes to the financing of prize-money :
At the end of 2023, France Galop’s Board of Directors approved new rules regarding dates and entry fees for Group 1 races. This change has stabilised and improved the resources of the Owner’s fund, which contributes to the funding of one third of prize-money in Group 1 races. Thanks to a good 2024 financial year, the Owner’s fund is able to cover the increase in prize-money for the upgraded races. In total, the Owner’s fund will finance €632 000 of additional prize-money in 2025.
Detailed press release will follow on Saturday 22 February 2025
- Enhancing competitiveness :
With the aim to improve competitiveness and the number of starters in Black Type races, four races have been removed and merged from the programme :
- Sumbe Prix Jean Romanet (Gr1) and Sumbe Prix Alec Head (ex-Prix de la Nonette – Gr2) : The Sumbe Prix Jean Romanet becomes a Gr1 for three-year-old and upwards, fillies and mares and will be worth €400 000. The Prix Alec Head has been removed but the handle has been retained and transferred to the Gr2 race, previously known as the Prix de Pomone
- Prix Kergorlay (Gr2) and Prix du Carrousel (Listed) : The Prix du Carrousel is removed from the programme and the Sumbe Prix Kergorlay is now worth €180 000.
- Prix du Prince d’Orange (Gr3) and the Coupe de Maisons-Laffitte (Gr3) have been merged: The Coupe de Maisons-Laffitte no longer features in the programme and the Prix du Prince d’Orange becomes a Group 3 for 3-year-old and older horses.
- Darley Prix Joubert (Listed) and Prix des Tourelles (Listed) : The Prix des Tourelles will not feature in the programme in 2025 and the Darley Prix Joubert becomes a Listed for fillies and mares aged 3 years and older that will be run over 2 800m.
Detailed press release will follow on Sunday 23 February 2025
- Changes for French regional racing :
A new Listed race will feature in the programme for French regional racing. The 2nd leg of the Défi du Galop, which takes place on Saturday, 22 March 2025 at La Teste, will be promoted from Class 1 status to Listed status.
Other changes in the French regional programme are mostly date changes and are as follows :
- Prix Urban Sea (Listed) : Thursday 29 May 2025 (linked to Thursday of Ascension Day)
- Grand Prix de Clairefontaine (Listed) : Friday 15 August 2025
- Grand Prix de Marseille (Listed) : Saturday 18 October 2025
- Grand Prix des Provinces (Moving Listed in the region) : Thursday 11 November 2025 at Strasbourg
Detailed press release will follow on Monday 24 February 2025
- Grand Prix de Paris, a qualification system for fillies :
Until now, the Gr1 Grand Prix de Paris had been the beneficiary of a qualification system of races that were mostly targeted by colts. In 2025, the qualification system has evolved and gives fillies several options to qualify for the main event on Sunday, 13 July 2025 :
- Prix de Diane Longines (Gr1) : first 3 finishers
- Oaks d’Epsom (Gr1) : first 3 finishers
- The Auguste Rodin Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary (Gr2) : the winner
- Prix Pénélope (Gr3) : the winner
- The Auguste Rodin Coolmore Prix Cléopâtre (Gr3) : the winner
- Prix de Royaumont (Gr3) : the winner
Detailed press release will follow on Tuesday 25 February 2025
- Races at risk of downgrade :
Following the 2024 season, a total of six races were at risk of a potential downgrade. Four of them retained their status.
- Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp Longines (Gr1) : status maintained
- Prix de Malleret (Gr2) : status maintained
- Prix du Gros-Chêne : downgraded to Gr3
- Grand Prix du Département 06 (Listed) : status maintained
- Grand Prix de Nantes (Listed) : status maintained
- Prix Cérès (Listed) Downgraded to Class 1 status
In the 2025 season, four races are at risk of being downgrade :
- Prix Eugène Adam (Gr2) : has to obtain a rating of 110
- Grand Prix de la Riviera – Jacques Bouchara (Listed) : has to obtain a rating of 100
- Derby du Midi (Listed) : has to obtain a rating of 100
- Derby du Languedoc (Listed) : has to obtain a rating of 100
Detailed press release will follow on Wednesday, 26 February 2025