Horse racing is a hugely popular sport in Paris, with several race courses where a number of high-profile races take place each year. If you are interested in watching an exciting sporting event in a historic setting in the city, what do you need to know?
The Most Famous Racecourse
There are several racecourses dotted in and around the French capital, but without doubt it is Longchamp that is the best-known and most intriguing. This 57-hectare venue is a popular flat racing spot with several tracks of different lengths at it.
The majority of the French group one races are held here each year, with up to 50,000 spectators gathering to watch the biggest and best events.
Its history can be traced back to 1857, when the Emperor Napoleon III was among the huge crowd as the first horse race here was run on April 27. Its position near the river means that rich and aristocratic visitors would often arrive here by private boat.
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It was recently re-opened in 2018 after a couple of years of refurbishment work. As well as numerous races throughout the year, it also hosts three classy restaurants and a rooftop lounge. Longchamp is occasionally used as the setting for other events, such as music festivals.
The Grand Prix de Paris
This group 1 flat race is run at Longchamp each July 14, which is the date of the Bastille Day holiday.
It is competed for by three-year-olds over a distance of around one and a half miles and rivals other great races like the Ascot Gold Cup in the UK and the Kentucky Derby in the US.
The race began in 1863, when a British horse by the name of The Ranger won it. Until the 1920s, it was the most important horse race in France, and it remains a hugely popular event. In 2020, the global pandemic led to it being postponed until 13 September and it was then won by Mogul, ridden by jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot.
The Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe
The next big race to be held in the French capital is also for horses from the age of three and up and takes place at Longchamp. In fact, the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe is now the nation’s most prestigious horse race and one of the top events across the planet.
This race happens on the first Sunday in October most years. It is currently ranked as the second richest turf race on the planet and has been won by many of the finest horses to take part in the sport.
Its history goes back to 1920 and it was originally created to help promote French thoroughbred standards. The very first time it was run, the winner was Comrade, who came home to a 150,000 francs prize.
The present prize fund is of $5 million, thanks to a sponsorship deal with the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club. It is run during the so-called Arc Weekend, in which seven group 1 status races are run, together with the Arabian World Cup.
2020’s event was won by Sottsass and jockey Cristian Demuro. However, Frankie Dettori remains as the most successful jockey in the race’s history, with six wins over the years since he first rode Lammtarra as the winner in 1995.
Top Horse Racing Venues in Paris: A Must-Visit for Racing Enthusiasts
Paris is home to some iconic horse racing venues, each rich in history and prestige. Here are the most important racetracks in Paris you should visit:
Hippodrome Paris-Longchamp
Located in the charming Bois de Boulogne, the Hippodrome Paris-Longchamp covers 57 hectares and is the venue for top-level flat racing. It hosts the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, one of the world's most renowned horse races. After a major facelift, ParisLongchamp reopened in 2018 with cutting-edge facilities, offering a modern experience for racing enthusiasts and event-goers alike.
If you are looking for the perfect Paris summer festival, ParisLongchamp is the place to go. It's absolutely one of the hottest festival spots for Parisians during the summer. From live DJ performances and major concerts to unique cultural events, ParisLongchamp offers a vibrant and diverse entertainment experience.
Location: 2 Route des Tribunes, 75016 Paris
Hippodrome d'Auteuil
Located in the prestigious 16th district of Paris close to Bois de Boulogne, Hippodrome d'Auteuil is famous for steeplechase racing and is home to the Grand Steeplechase de Paris, a standout event in jump racing. With its challenging fences, this course has been vital to the Paris racing scene since 1873.
Location: Route des Lacs à Passy, 75016 Paris
Hippodrome de Vincennes
Located in the beautiful Bois de Vincennes, Hippodrome de Vincennes is the go-to for harness racing, particularly trotting. It hosts the Prix d'Amérique, a premier event in the trotting world. The venue also features a training center and a year-round calendar of events.
Location: 2 Route de la Ferme, 75012 Paris
You might not associate Paris with horse racing, but it is a terrific city for watching a high-quality event of this type in an historic venue. Just be sure to arrange your tickets in plenty of time as the races we have looked at are incredibly popular among sports fans.
Credits photo@marco timelli
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