Flat racing - Prix d’Aumale upgraded to Group 2 status - Enhancement of autumn programme for 2-year-olds
FLAT RACING
PRIX D’AUMALE UPGRADED TO GROUP 2 STATUS
ENHANCEMENT OF AUTUMN PROGRAMME FOR 2-YEAR-OLDS
Following the meeting of the European Pattern Committee on 7 February 2025 at France Galop's headquarters, and an exceptional meeting of the Board of Directors on Friday 14 February 2025, several changes to the Black Type programme were approved.
Prix d’Aumale upgraded to Group 2 status
In 2025, the Prix d’Aumale, a trial race for the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac (Group 1, for 2yo fillies, 1 600 metres), has been upgraded to Group 2 status offering a purse of €130 000. The European Pattern Committee approved the upgrade, as the race had met the required rating parameters over a rolling three-year period.
Enhancement of autumn programme for 2-year-olds
The Black Type programme for 2-year-olds in the autumn, especially in the month of September, was too compacted. To increase the number of starters and improve the competitiveness of the different races, it was decided to stagger various events and to redefine the role of certain races by changing the distances and surfaces:
o The Prix des Chênes (Group 3, 1 600 metres), a trial race for the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (Group 1, 1 400 metres), which was traditionally held at the beginning of September, was no longer really fulfilling this role. It will now be run at the end of the month of September. In 2025, it will take place on the 20th of September at Chantilly. It hence becomes a stepping stone for the Critérium International, which is run over the same distance. The Prix La Rochette (Group 3), which is run over the same track and distance as the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère becomes its official trial race.
o The Prix de Condé (Group 3) will change its course and distance. It will now be run over 2 000 metres at Saint-Cloud on the card that usually featured the Prix Thomas Bryon, which has now been moved. As the Prix des Chênes has become a trial race for the Critérium International, the Prix de Condé will now become a stepping stone for the Critérium de Saint-Cloud (Group 1, 2 000 metres), which is run over the same course and distance. Extending the Prix du Condé to 2 000 metres (from the former 1 800 metres) will make it easier to differentiate from the Prix des Chênes.
o In line with the various changes and in response to racing stakeholders who requested more important 2-year-old races throughout the latter part of the season, if need be by running them on the Fibre Sand track (PSF), the Prix Thomas Bryon will now be run over 1800 metres on the Chantilly Fibre Sand track. In 2025, it will be run on the 18th of November, a little over three weeks after the Critérium International and the Critérium de Saint-Cloud. To support the changes around the Prix Thomas Bryon, the Prix Isonomy (Listed) is now scheduled to take place on 27th October on the Fibre Sand track at Chantilly. It will be run over 1 800 metres.