Prix Royal-Oak

The Prix Royal-Oak is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 3,100 metres (about 1 mile and 7½ furlongs), and it is scheduled to take place each year in late October.

It is France's equivalent of the St. Leger Stakes, a famous race in England.

History

The event was established in 1861, and it was initially called the Grand Prix du Prince Impérial. It was originally restricted to three-year-olds, and was part of a series of races based on the English Classic system. Its original distance was 3,200 metres.

The race was renamed the Prix Royal-Oak and shortened to 3,000 metres in 1869. It was named after Royal Oak (foaled 1823), a key stallion in the establishment of thoroughbred breeding in France. Due to the Franco-Prussian War, the race was not run in 1870 and 1871.

The Prix Royal-Oak was abandoned throughout World War I, with no running from 1914 to 1918. It was cancelled twice during World War II, in 1939 and 1940. It was staged at Le Tremblay in 1943 and 1944.

The event was extended to 3,100 metres in 1964. The present system of race grading was introduced in 1971, and the Prix Royal-Oak was classed at the highest level, Group 1. For a period it was held in mid-September. It was switched to late October in 1977.

The Prix Royal-Oak was opened to horses aged four or older in 1979. It was opened to geldings in 1986.

Records

Most successful horse (2 wins):

• Amilynx – 1999, 2000
• Westerner – 2003, 2004

Leading jockey (6 wins):

• Freddy Head – Dhaudevi (1968), Bourbon (1971), Busiris (1974), Gold River (1980), Agent Double (1984), Top Sunrise (1989)

Leading trainer (7 wins):

• François Mathet – Vamour (1959), Match (1961), Relko (1963), Reliance (1965), Sassafras (1970), Henri le Balafre (1975), Exceller (1976)
• André Fabre – Star Lift (1988), Top Sunrise (1989), Raintrap (1993), Sunshack (1995), Amilynx (1999, 2000), Be Fabulous (2011)

Leading owner (6 wins):

• Frédéric de Lagrange – Palestro (1861), Fille de l'Air (1864), Gladiateur (1865), Nelusco (1868), Inval (1878), Zut (1879)

Winners since 1969

^a Hallez finished first in 1970, but he was relegated to second place following a stewards' inquiry.

Earlier winners

See also

• List of French flat horse races
• Recurring sporting events established in 1861 – this race is included under its original title, Grand Prix du Prince Impérial.

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:
  • 1861–1889, 1890–1919, 1920–1949, 1950–1979, 1980–present

• france-galop.com – A Brief History: Prix Royal-Oak.
• galopp-sieger.de – Prix Royal-Oak.
• horseracingintfed.com – International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – Prix Royal-Oak (2012).
• pedigreequery.com – Prix Royal-Oak – Longchamp.