Prix Chaudenay

The Prix Chaudenay is a Group 2 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 3,000 metres (about 1⅞ miles), and it is scheduled to take place each year in late September or early October.

History

The event was established in 1875, and it was originally called the Prix de l'Espérance. It took place in spring, and served as a trial for the Grand Prix de Paris.

The Prix de l'Espérance was abandoned throughout World War I, with no running from 1915 to 1918. During World War II, it was contested at Maisons-Laffitte in 1943, and Le Tremblay in 1944 and 1945.

The present system of race grading was introduced in 1971, and the Prix de l'Espérance was initially classed at Group 3 level. It was promoted to Group 2 status in 1987, and from this point it was staged in late June or early July.

The race was renamed in memory of Hubert de Chaudenay (1903–1989), a former president of the Société d'Encouragement, in 1990. Hubert's father Jean had been similarly honoured by the naming of the Prix Jean de Chaudenay.

The Prix Hubert de Chaudenay was run at Maisons-Laffitte in 1997 and 1998. It returned to Longchamp and was moved to the Saturday of Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend in 1999. The latter race is traditionally held on the first Sunday of October.

The title of the race was shortened to Prix Chaudenay in 2004, when the Prix Jean de Chaudenay was discontinued. It now honours both father and son, Jean and Hubert de Chaudenay.

Records

Leading jockey (4 wins):

• Charles Semblat – Badari (1926), Passaro (1929), Raeburn (1931), Foxhound (1939)
• Roger Poincelet – Suez (1949), Altipan (1957), Sempervivum (1961), Parabellum (1966)
• Maxime Garcia – Malar (1955), Vattel (1956), Tello (1958), Chrysler (1960)
• Yves Saint-Martin – Waldmeister (1964), Cheik (1965), Largny (1970), Chawn (1975)
• Alain Lequeux – Chem (1982), Rutheford (1983), Rivlia (1985), Tabayaan (1987)
• Thierry Jarnet – Justice (1991), Dajraan (1992), Northern Spur (1994), Affidavit (1995)
• Olivier Peslier – Tarator (1996), Vertical Speed (1997), Amilynx (1999), Epitre (2000)

Leading trainer (11 wins):

• André Fabre – Rutheford (1983), Justice (1991), Dajraan (1992), Northern Spur (1994), Affidavit (1995), Vertical Speed (1997), Amilynx (1999), Epitre (2000), Morozov (2002), Reefscape (2004), Coastal Path (2007)

Leading owner (5 wins):

• Edouard de Rothschild – Predicateur (1912), Mont Blanc (1922), Camping (1933), Bokbul (1935), Ginko Biloba (1937)
• HH Aga Khan IV – Tabayaan (1987), Behkara (2003), Shamdala (2005), Manighar (2009), Shankardeh (2011)

Winners since 1980

^a Bahamian finished first in 1988, but she was relegated to third place following a stewards' inquiry.

Earlier winners

* The 1888 race was a dead-heat and has joint winners.

See also

• List of French flat horse races
• Recurring sporting events established in 1875 – this race is included under its original title, Prix de l'Espérance.

References

• France Galop / Racing Post:
  • 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988
  • 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998
  • 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
  • 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
• galop.courses-france.com:
  • 1967–1979, 1980–present

• france-galop.com – A Brief History: Prix Chaudenay.
• galopp-sieger.de – Prix Chaudenay (ex Prix de l'Espérance).
• horseracingintfed.com – International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – Prix Chaudenay (2012).
• pedigreequery.com – Prix Chaudenay – Longchamp.