Changes Afoot For French Racing Programme

As the finishing touches are made to the redeveloped Longchamp–or ParisLongchamp as it has been rebranded–France Galop has announced a number of changes to the domestic Flat racing programme for 2018.

The racing public will have the chance to attend the first of 34 meetings this year at the upgraded racecourse on Sunday  April 8, which will include the G2 Prix d'Harcourt, G3 Prix La Force and G3 Prix Vanteaux. The official launch will be held three weeks later on April 29, the highlight of that day's card being the G1 Prix Ganay. Later in the season, Longchamp will also benefit from the relocation of the G1 Criterium International from Saint-Cloud. The 1400-metre juvenile contest will be run on the same card as the G1 Prix Royal-Oak, which this year takes place on Oct. 28.

Despite some speculation among those connected to the breeze-up sales circuit that the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains and G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches might remain in Deauville, where they had been staged for the past two years, unsurprisingly the first French Classics of the season will return to their traditional Parisian home to be run on Sunday, May 13.

Longchamp is losing a race to Deauville, however, with the G3 Prix Daphnis being shortened in distance from 1800 to 1600 metres and run on Aug. 21 at the Normandy seaside venue instead of its previous slot in Paris in June. Previously for 3-year-old colts and geldings, it will now be also be open to fillies. Deauville's G3 Prix Quincey, which was previously open to 3-year-olds, will now be for 4-year-olds and up. Recent promotions announced by the European Pattern Committee include some enhancements to Deauville's juvenile programme, with the Prix du Calvados rising to Group 2 status and the Prix Six Perfections to Group 3 level.

Another new feature of the Longchamp calendar is the introduction of a series of evening meetings every Thursday between May 17 and July 12, starting at 6.15pm. Other changes include the fact that the G1 Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp, which is usually held on the same weekend as the traditional Arc trials, will be run a week earlier on Sunday, Sept. 9.

Explaining the adjustments, which include a number of changes to the French jump racing programme, France Galop's Director General Olivier Delloye said, “[These changes are] the result of the desire of the president and vice-presidents to review the calendar and the programme. Our goal, which is shared with LeTrot and PMU, is to offer a more attractive product to the bettor while respecting the fundamental structure of the programme in order to offer horses of all levels the opportunity to run and to optimise their chances. The aim of the programme is not only to enhance support for the betting public, but also to ensure that it helps to strengthen French breeding to assist all those involved in that sector. It's a subtle balance.”