Prix de Royallieu

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

History

The event is named after Royallieu, an area where the stables of Frédéric de Lagrange were located in the late 19th century. The original version was open to horses of either gender aged three or older. It was contested over 3,000 metres in late October.

The race was restricted to three-year-old fillies and cut to 2,600 metres in 1922. It was cancelled in 1939 and 1940 because of World War II. For the following two years it was run at Le Tremblay over 2,500 metres, and it resumed at Longchamp in 1943.

The Prix de Royallieu was opened to older fillies and mares in 1965. It was given Group 3 status in 1971, and was shortened to 2,500 metres in 1972.

The event was promoted to Group 2 level and moved to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend in 1988. The latter race is traditionally held on the first Sunday of October.

Records

Most successful horse since 1922:

• no horse has won this race more than once since 1922

Leading jockey since 1922 (5 wins):

• Charles Semblat – Tetratela (1924), Frisette (1925), Samee (1934), Miraflore (1936), Queen (1938)
• Yves Saint-Martin – Bobette (1961), Monique (1963), Amazer (1978), Euliya (1984), Sharaniya (1986)
• Gérald Mossé – Saganeca (1991), Dalara (1994), Mouramara (2000), Daryakana (2009), Maria Royal (2010)

Leading trainer since 1922 (6 wins):

• Alain de Royer-Dupré – Euliya (1984), Sharaniya (1986), Dalara (1994), Daryakana (2009), Maria Royal (2010), Dalkala (2012)

Leading owner since 1922 (6 wins):

• HH Aga Khan IV – Euliya (1984), Sharaniya (1986), Dalara (1994), Mouramara (2000), Daryakana (2009), Dalkala (2012)

Winners since 1975

Earlier 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 Royallieu.
• galop.courses-france.com – Prix de Royallieu – Palmarès depuis 1980.
• galopp-sieger.de – Prix de Royallieu.
• horseracingintfed.com – International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – Prix de Royallieu (2012).
• pedigreequery.com – Prix de Royallieu – Longchamp.