Prix Daphnis

The Prix Daphnis is a Group 3 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 1,850 metres (about 1 mile and 1¼ furlongs), and it is scheduled to take place each year in late June or early July.

History

The event was established in 1921 alongside the Prix Chloe, a similar contest for fillies. The two races were named after the characters Daphnis and Chloe from a work by the Greek novelist Longus. The story was popularised in France by the translation of Paul-Louis Courier. Both races were originally held at Le Tremblay, and they usually took place in late April or early May.

The Prix Daphnis was initially contested over 1,600 metres. It served as a trial for the Poule d'Essai des Poulains. It was staged at Longchamp from 1940 to 1942, and returned to Le Tremblay in 1943.

The event was rescheduled to take place on the eve of the Poule d'Essai des Poulains in 1961. From this point its distance was 1,800 metres. Le Tremblay closed in 1967, and the race moved to Longchamp the following year. It was transferred to Évry in 1973, and switched to July in 1977.

With the exception of a single running at Longchamp in 1981, the Prix Daphnis remained at Évry until 1995. For periods thereafter it was held at Maisons-Laffitte (1996–98, 2002–03) and Chantilly (1999–2001, 2004).

The race's current spell at Longchamp began in 2005. It was extended to 1,850 metres in 2010.

Records

Leading jockey (4 wins):

• Jacques Doyasbère – Nosca (1942), Coaraze (1945), Faubourg (1952), Faublas (1953)
• Léon Flavien – Belebat (1955), Pres du Feu (1958), Savarus (1959), Sigebert (1964)
• Jackie Taillard – Garde Coeur (1963), Larko (1970), Wronsky (1975), Bellypha (1979)
• Thierry Jarnet – Tel Quel (1991), Steinbeck (1992), Kouroun (2001), So Beautiful (2012)

Leading trainer (8 wins):

• André Fabre – Thrill Show (1986), Tel Quel (1991), Steinbeck (1992), Signe Divin (1994), Alrassaam (1999), Bernebeau (2002), Cacique (2004), Golden Century (2009)

Leading owner (7 wins):

• Marcel Boussac – Grazing (1921, dead-heat), Nosca (1942), Coaraze (1945), Djelal (1947), Galcador (1950), Faublas (1953), Alvedas (1973)

Winners since 1978

^a The 2006 winner Dilek was later exported to Hong Kong and renamed Viva Macau.
^b The 2011 winner Ziyarid subsequently raced in Hong Kong as Cheers Joy.

Earlier winners

* The 1921 race was a dead-heat and has joint winners.

See also

• List of French flat horse races

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

• france-galop.com – A Brief History: Prix Daphnis.
• galop.courses-france.com – Prix Daphnis – Palmarès depuis 1980.
• galopp-sieger.de – Prix Daphnis.
• horseracingintfed.com – International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – Prix Daphnis (2012).
• pedigreequery.com – Prix Daphnis – Longchamp.