France Galop

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...

French jockey Pierre-Charlies Boudot, who is currently suspended from riding due to being indicted on a rape charge last May, has had his licence "withdrawn indefinitely" by France Galop, at the French Ministry of Interior's request, Jour de Galop reported on Tuesday afternoon. The investigation is still ongoing, and it is unclear if the case will proceed to a trial. France Galop said that they had received a letter from the minister of the interior on Nov. 7 indicating that the ministry was maintaining its request that Boudot's license remain...

Francis-Henri Graffard has voiced his frustration after confirming Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) will miss the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe following France Galop's decision to limit the field to 20 runners. Last year's G1 Melbourne Cup winner travelled to Europe and joined Graffard earlier this year with the main aim of running in the French highlight. However, she disappointed on her French debut in the G1 Prix Jean Romanet--finishing last of seven--and, despite showing significant improvement to place third in the G2 Prix Foy on her second start,...

The maximum number of runners in the 2022 G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Sunday, Oct. 2 will be 20, France Galop announced on Tuesday. The 2022 racing code and the specific race conditions limit the number of runners to 20 and this is the number that will be retained. If needed, elimination or ballotting procedures are as follows: Runners with the lowest rating will be eliminated sequentially. The rating is decided by the France Galop Handicapper Service. In the case of horses with the same rating, eliminations...

Banned jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot, who was indicted on a charge of rape in May of 2021, has had his ban extended another three months by France Galop, Jour de Galop reported on Friday evening. This is the third extension since the original three-month suspension. The charges relate to an allegation made against Boudot, by a then-25-year-old female exercise rider two days after an alleged assault in Cagnes-sur-Mer on Feb. 27, 2021. Boudot is currently under judicial supervision and served his initial ban from May 12-Aug. 13 of last year. That...

France Galop and the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) confirmed they have extended their sponsorship agreement of the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend for five more years, from 2023-2027. Originally inked in 2008 for a five-year deal through 2012, an extension was agreed upon in 2010 through 2022's edition. Held from Friday, Sept. 30 (Saint-Cloud) and Saturday/Sunday Oct. 1-2 at ParisLongchamp, there will be 16 group races carded-eight Group 1s, three Group 2s, one Group 3 and another four top-level races dedicated to Arabians. Total prize-money on...