Prix de Pomone

The Prix de Pomone is a Group 2 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at Deauville over a distance of 2,500 metres (about 1 mile and 4½ furlongs), and it is scheduled to take place each year in August.

History

The event is named after Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit trees, gardens and orchards. It was established in 1920, and it was originally contested over 2,400 metres.

The race was cancelled in 1940, and it was held at Maisons-Laffitte from 1941 to 1943. It was cancelled again in 1944, and run once more at Maisons-Laffitte before returning to Deauville in 1946. It was extended to 2,600 metres in 1963.

The present system of race grading was introduced in 1971, and the Prix de Pomone was initially classed at Group 3 level. It was increased to 2,700 metres in 1973, and promoted to Group 2 status in 1983. It was cut to 2,500 metres in 2004.

Records

Most successful horse (2 wins):

• Zalataia – 1982, 1983
• Bright Moon – 1993, 1994

Leading jockey (6 wins):

• Freddy Head – Moquerie (1976, dead-heat), Gold River (1980), Zalataia (1982, 1983), Marie de Litz (1984), Light the Lights (1988)
• Thierry Jarnet – Bright Moon (1993, 1994), Helen of Spain (1996), Interlude (2000), Abitara (2001), Lune d'Or (2004)

Leading trainer (13 wins):

• André Fabre – Zalataia (1982, 1983), Galla Placidia (1985), Colorado Dancer (1989), Whitehaven (1990), Bright Moon (1993, 1994), Helen of Spain (1996), Bernimixa (2002), Diamond Tango (2005), Macleya (2007), La Pomme d'Amour (2012, 2013)

Leading owner (6 wins):

• Guy de Rothschild – Agace (1955), Louvette (1958), Marella (1960), Isoline (1965), Skelda (1971), Lady Berry (1973)

Winners since 1980

Earlier winners

* The 1976 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, 2013

• france-galop.com – A Brief History: Prix de Pomone.
• galop.courses-france.com – Prix de Pomone – Palmarès depuis 1980.
• galopp-sieger.de – Prix de Pomone.
• horseracingintfed.com – International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – Prix de Pomone (2011).
• pedigreequery.com – Prix de Pomone – Deauville.