Prix du Bois

The Prix du Bois is a Group 3 flat horse race in France open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Chantilly over a distance of 1,000 metres (about 5 furlongs), and it is scheduled to take place each year in late June or early July.

History

The event was established in 1925, and it was originally held at Longchamp. It takes its name from the Bois de Boulogne, the location of its former home, and the Avenue du Bois (now the Avenue Foch), which leads towards the racecourse.

Due to World War II, the Prix du Bois was not run from 1940 to 1945.

The race was promoted to Group 3 status in 1982. It continued to be staged at Longchamp until 1994. It took place at Chantilly in 1995, and returned to Longchamp in 1996. For a period thereafter it was switched between Deauville (1997–98, 2003) and Chantilly (1999–2002, 2004–05).

The Prix du Bois was transferred to Maisons-Laffitte in 2006. Its current spell at Chantilly began in 2009.

The leading horses from the Prix du Bois often go on to compete in the Prix Robert Papin. The first to win both races was Erica in 1927, and the most recent was Family One in 2011.

Records

Leading jockey (10 wins):

• Roger Poincelet – Chesterfield (1946), Arbace (1948), Dahabi (1949), Lets Fly (1953), Polamia (1957), Dan Cupid (1958), High Bulk (1960), Mr Brookwood (1961), Spy Well (1962), Timmy Lad (1963)

Leading trainer (6 wins):

• François Mathet – Taoutcha (1952), Calshot (1966), Zeddaan (1967), Rockcress (1968), Myosotis (1974), Adraan (1979)
• Etienne Pollet – Polamia (1957), Dan Cupid (1958), High Bulk (1960), Mr Brookwood (1961), Spy Well (1962), Timmy Lad (1963)
• Pascal Bary – Export Price (1986), Rich and Famous (1989), Imperfect World (1998), Much Faster (2003), Divine Proportions (2004), Natagora (2007)

Leading owner (5 wins):

• Gertrude Widener – Polamia (1957), Dan Cupid (1958), Mr Brookwood (1961), Spy Well (1962), Timmy Lad (1963)

Winners since 1978

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

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