France Galop

Matthieu Vincent, Director of Racecourses and Training Centres at France Galop, passed away on Friday morning, the organisation announced. He was 56. "It is with deep emotion that we learned of the death of Matthieu Vincent, Director of the Racetracks and Training Centres of France Galop, who died this morning at the age of 56," France Galop announced via Twitter. "We extend our sincere condolences to his wife, children, friends and colleagues." Previously the Clerk of the Course at Lyon's training centre and racecourse for 10 years, Vincent joined France...

France Galop has agreed to a four-year deal with HBA Media to distribute its entire international racing portfolio-the French Flat horse racing calendar--the company announced on Wednesday. HBA Media will ensure global broadcast and multi-platform distribution for the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and an additional 26 Group 1 and Group 2 race days. Henry Birtles, Chief Executive of HBA Media, said, "HBA Media is delighted to enter this exciting partnership with France Galop. "Over the past few years, our vision at HBA Media has been focused on...

Trainer Fabrice Vermeulen's appeal was denied by a judge in the administrative court of Amiens and his six-month suspension began on Thursday, the Jour de Galop reported on Friday evening. The trainer was attempting to deny the decision of the France Galop appeals committee, who handed down a six-month ban for alleged ownership record falsifications. As a result, Vermeulen's six-month suspension, of which three months was suspended for five years, started on Thursday, Apr. 28 and will last through Thursday, July 28, 2022. Final declarations from Vermeulen's yard will be...

Jumps racing at Auteuil Racecourse in France was cancelled on Sunday due to an industrial dispute between France Galop employees and trade union members. The eight-race card included a listed race and a pair of Grade 2 races. The disagreement led to a demonstration in the parade ring. Although an emergency meeting was called to resolve the issue, a resolution was not reached and later talks between the two parties were also unsuccessful. After these efforts failed, the meeting was abandoned. "It's very frustrating for me and for everybody, a...

Former French champion jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot, who was last May charged with the rape of a female work rider, has had a riding ban from France Galop extended a further six months. Boudot, who is currently under judicial supervision, was initially banned from May 12 to Aug. 13 last year, with than ban extended until Feb. 16. In a statement, France Galop stressed that the ban could be lifted before its term or renewed depending upon elements brought to the attention of stewards. It also noted that Boudot has voluntarily...

Trainer Fabrice Vermeulen, who was banned for six months by France Galop for alleged ownership record falsifications for a dozen horses in his care, has opted to appeal the decision, the Jour de Galop reported on Thursday. Half of the sentence was suspended for five years. "I am appealing the decisions because I don't understand them, quite simply...I think it's just [a] misunderstanding," Vermeulen said. Vermeulen's assistant Jeremy Para who was banned for a year with six months suspended, has not appealed as of Thursday evening. Para's company, SAS Le...

Trainer Fabrice Vermeulen, who sits in second in the 2022 French trainers' premiership, has been suspended for six months by France Galop due to alleged ownership record falsifications for 12 horses in his care, the Jour de Galop reported on Wednesday. Approximately half of the sentence will be suspended for five years. An investigation was started after Vermeulen claimed unpaid training fees from one of his owners, Laetitia Louis. The majority of the record-keeping issues are related to the involvement of SAS Le Marais, which is registered to Vermeulen's assistant...

France Galop and the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club have extended their sponsorship agreement for Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend for a further five years through 2027. The partnership, which has been in place since 2008, now encompasses a weekend including 12 Group 1 races for Thoroughbreds and Purebred Arabians and €10-million in prizemoney. The €5-million G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe was on Tuesday named the Longines World's Best Horse Race of 2021; it was its fifth time receiving that honour. The France Galop and QREC...

Prizemoney in France is set to rise to €278-million next year, returning to the equivalent levels of 2017. The proposed increase means that prizemoney will be up €20-million (7.75%) from 2019, and €30-million (+12%) from 2021. The increase can be attributed to a growth in PMU net contribution to €820-million--the first time since 2015 that its contribution has risen above €800-million, and up €60-million on 2019--thanks to a growth in betting turnover, sustained international expansion and a drop in PMU expenditures, as well as France Galop's rebounding commercial revenue. France...

French champion jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot has had a three-month ban by France Galop stewards extended a further six months as he faces rape charges. Boudot, 28, was charged on May 12 for the Feb. 27 rape of a 25-year-old female work rider in Cagnes-sur-Mer. Also implicated is fellow jockey Pierre Bazire, who was charged in May with failing to prevent and report a crime. Bazire's suspension has likewise been extended six more months. Boudot, whose legal team has denied the allegations, had been previously accused of rape in 2018, but...

Together for Racing International (TfRI) and France Galop have joined forces to support Cheval Esperance, an association to give those either socially or physically disadvantaged the opportunity to develop skills and confidence through equine therapy. France Galop has donated a race during its popular Deauville meeting to the cause, with the goal of raising €20,000. Targeting people in the Normandy region of Rouen, Cheval Esperance was set up 15 years ago by Sabine and Laurent Bidault, who himself has a neurodegenerative disease. There are more than 200 riders each week...

Issues surrounding COVID-19 and Brexit have ruled French trainers Philippe Decouz and Edouard Monfort out of the inaugural Racing League competition. The two trainers were due to comprise one of the 12 teams taking part in the six-meeting fixture starting at Newcastle on July 29. Four Newmarket trainers--George Boughey, James Ferguson, William Knight and Stuart Williams--will instead form a replacement side, with jockeys Nicola Currie, Marco Ghiani and Daniel Muscutt their appointed riders. Olivier Delloye, chief executive officer of France Galop, said, "France Galop is disappointed that Covid and Brexit...