New features for the 2024 flat Winter meeting at Cagnes-sur-Mer

A press conference was held on Tuesday, 10th October 2023, presenting various adjustments to the 2024 flat meeting at Cagnes-sur-Mer.

During the press conference, François Forcioli-Conti, President of the “Association des Courses de la Côte d’Azur”, reminded the audience that the aim of the various measures taken is to provide a new impetus to the flat meeting of Cagnes-sur-Mer with the goal to regain a positive dynamic in terms of runners.

One of the main measures taken and one wished for by the Cagnes-sur-Mer racecourse is the even split between races on grass and races on the AWT during the meeting from January 15^th, 2024, to February 26^th, 2024. Previously, 40 % of races were run on the turf, while 60% were run on the AWT.

Moreover, the two race meetings which were previously held in February at Marseille-Vivaux (AWT) will now be run in February 2024 at Marseille-Borély (Turf).  

These two adjustments of the fixture list and in the programme will allow for an additional thirty races on grass in the southeast of France during the meeting while offering fewer races on the AWT. Hence, racing in the southeast of France in January and February will offer a distinctive feature in terms of races at that time of the year in France, which otherwise only offers races on the AWT.

Changes made to Listed races and the « Grands Prix».

The main "Grand Prix" of Cagnes-sur-Mer have been adjusted in the fixture list, and some distances and surfaces have been altered. These changes aim to stabilize the rating of Black-type races at Cagnes-sur-Mer and make them more attractive.

• Grand Prix de la Riviera Côte d’Azur: Traditionally held mid-February, this Listed race is now scheduled on Saturday, 27^th January. It remains on the same distance and surface (2,000m-10f AWT) and may serve as a preparatory race for competition in the Middle East, such as the Saudi Cup. Moreover, on that same day, two conditions races – Class 1 races - for older horses over 1300m. and 2500m. on the turf may also be used as a springboard for races taking place in Qatar or Saudi Arabia in February.
• Grand Prix du Département 06: This Listed race, which is the 1st stage of the Défi du Galop in 2024, remains at its usual slot at the end of the meeting. But its distance is shortened to 2,150m/10.55f (previously 2,500m/12.5f) to attract more runners. It may also serve as a prep race for the Prix Exbury (Gr3) run three weeks later.
• Prix Saonois: The Prix Saonois (Listed) is still run over 1,600m/1m. on the AWT but sees its date of running in the fixture list moved up a week earlier compared to previous years. It is held on Sunday 11th February.
• Prix de la Californie: The Prix de la Californie (Listed) goes back to grass and the distance of 1,500m/7.5f. The race will take place on the last Sunday of the meeting: Sunday, 25^th February 2024, the same day as the Grand Prix. This date brings it closer to the first feature races of the season for 3-year-old horses at Group 3 level.
• Prix Policeman: The Prix Policeman (Class 1) also changes and will be run on Saturday, 17^th February 2024, on turf (2,150m/10.55f). The race thus provides the opportunity to run in the first Listed races for 3yos at Saint-Cloud next.

Launch of the « Challenge PSF » with the finals at Cagnes-sur-Mer

The two finals of the "PSF challenge" kickstarting this winter are staged at Cagnes-sur-Mer racecourse.

Six Listed races run over the winter on the AWT are part of this challenge, which offers two bonuses:

• One bonus for the horse which has won the most points in races run between 1,400m (7f) and 1,600m (1m): sprint/mile division.
• One bonus for the horse which has won the most points in races run over 1,900m (9f) and more: intermediate/classic division.

The three Listed races for each division are:

Sprint/Mile division

Intermediate/Classic division

The points are awarded as follows:

Each division offers a bonus of 40 000 € to the owners of the two horses which have won the most points:

• 30,000 € to the winner
• 10,000 € to the 2^nd  

Actions taken by the « Association des Courses de la Côte d’Azur».

The "Association des Courses de la Côte d’Azur" is putting in place several measures with a view to support and boost the attractiveness of its flat and jumps meetings. The first four measures listed below are applicable for the flat and jumps meetings:

1. Boxes are free of charge during the meeting. 
2. Flax shavings boxes remain free of charge.
3. Rates on housing are frozen (rents should have risen by 10% to 20 % due to the electricity rate increase).
4. A welcome booklet (with all the top addresses of Cagnes-sur-Mer) is available for all professionals.
5. Housing and food service are free of charge for all participants to the Listed races and Prix Policeman (over a 72-hr period maximum).
6. Increase of 10.000 € of the prizemoney of the Prix Policeman.