France Galop

Entries for the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, worth €5 million this year and set to be contested on Sunday, Oct. 1, close tomorrow, Wednesday May 10, at 10:30 a.m., France Galop announced. For this year's running, the Executive Board of France Galop decided to increase the maximum number of runners from 20 to 24. The change was made after last year when the 20-runner limit led to several being eliminated at the final declaration stage.

Marie Rohaut has been named the new head of the France Galop/French Racing and Breeding Committee (FRBC) Owners' Department. Rohaut, a Godolphin Flying Star graduate, joined France Galop in the beginning of April. The daughter of Pau-based trainer Francois Rohaut, the 29-year-old was a co-creator of "Aux courses les jeunes" (Young people, let's go racing), and she also holds a Master's degree in entrepreneurship and international business. She gained work experience in Japan with the Yoshida family, as well as in Australia, Ireland and the UK. After her Flying Star...

A survey targeted at the approximately 6,000 racehorse owners registered in France was sent out to France Galop members via a newsletter on Thursday. The aim of the 50-question survey is to hear from as many people as possible regarding their views on their experiences in the racing world and to better understand their aspirations. The results will assist France Galop in improving the ownership experience. The survey deadline is May 10. To participate in the survey, please email  relationsmembres@france-galop.com.

Regional racing companies in France are the beneficiaries of exceptional assistance from France Galop, after the company's Board of Directors approved the motion. Due to 2022 results above expectations of France Galop and the strong inflation that the regional racing companies have been experiencing for several months, an additional €800,000 has been released to racecourses and racing companies not managed by France Galop. The announcement follows a France Galop Board of Directors meeting on Mar. 15. This "inflation premium", which is being paid, concerns 134 racetracks that have organized 5,350...

Former racecourse Maisons-Laffitte, which was in operation until November of 2018, has been sold, France Galop announced on Wednesday. Included in the sale to the Etablissement Public Foncier d'Ile-de-France (EPFIF) mandated by the City of Maisons-Laffitte, includes buildings on the site including the grandstand, as well as the racecourses proper, and the golf course installed in the centre of the courses. Negotiations for the sale of the property were held throughout 2022. The news of the successful sale was welcomed by France Galop. Back in April of 2021, the City...

Fillies and mares are forbidden from racing in France after they have been covered by a stallion due to a change to the French rules of racing, France Galop announced. The amendment brings the rules for Thoroughbred racing in France into line with those for Arabians and for Standardbreds used for trotting. However, it is a move which puts France at odds with its fellow European Thoroughbred racing jurisdictions. In Britain and Ireland, fillies and mares can continue to compete for up to 120 days after being covered. If not...

The G1 St Mark's Basilica Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary will be run two weeks earlier on Sunday, May 14, in an effort to increase its exposure and maintain its Group 1 status, France-Galop revealed on Thursday. The scheduling update was originally disclosed when 25 black-type races were cut by the European Pattern Committee on Wednesday, but it has now been announced that the race is under scrutiny to be downgraded by the EPC in 2024 if its field quality does not improve. A rating of 110 is required to maintain its...

The number of strikes with the whip a jockey is allowed to use over jumps and on the Flat in France has been reduced from five to four beginning on May 1, France Galop announced on Wednesday. There will be an educational and transitional period from Mar. 1 to Apr. 30 to allow jockeys to acclimate to the new regulations. The sanctions currently in place regarding overuse of the whip will be applied through Apr. 30. The aim is to gradually reduce the use of the whip, and the system...

A short film called 'Destination France' which promotes Flat and National Hunt racing, was released by France Galop on Friday. Just under three minutes in length, the video features images from the country's training centres, stud farms, sale rings and race meetings. The short highlights the main attractions of the country's horse racing system, and makes a direct correlation to the French lifestyle, which they argue is attractive to foreign ownership. Supported by interviews from a range of industry professionals, including owners and trainers, this video is billed as a...

France Galop voted to sell the racecourse Maisons-Laffitte to a public land establishment in the town for €7,150,000 in a meeting on Monday, Dec. 12, according to the Jour de Galop. The racecourse has not been in operation since November 2019. The sale price stipulates that if the land is reused for the development of non-equestrian spaces at any time over the next 20 years, France-Galop will be due a supplemental fee, the story says. The JDG reports that discussions continue between France-Galop and the town of Maisons-Laffitte for an...

Christophe Soumillon, who is currently serving a two-month suspension for elbowing fellow jockey Rossa Ryan off his mount earlier this year, will not serve a lengthier ban, after France's Gaming Police opted not to pursue their inquiry into the matter, Jour de Galop reported on Thursday. Stephane Piallat, who leads the Gaming Police, told JDG, "We have taken into account the explanations of Christophe Soumillon. He reassured us that he was not at risk for disturbing the public order if he returned to competitive riding. So it's a no-cost warning....

According to information obtained by Jour de Galop, France's Gaming Police mailed a letter to France Galop earlier this week requesting that suspended jockey Christophe Soumillon's licence be withdrawn indefinitely or that his ban be lengthened, the paper writes in its Sunday edition. Soumillion was suspended for two months after elbowing fellow jockey Rossa Ryan out of the saddle during the running of the G3 Prix Thomas Bryon on Sept. 30. "The fall (of Rossa Ryan) was not accidental, but was caused by Christophe Soumillon. This behavior is voluntary and...