Prix André Baboin

The Prix André Baboin is a Group 3 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at various racecourses over distances of around 2,000 metres (1¼ miles), and it is scheduled to take place each year in October.

History

The event was established in 1982, and it was originally called the Grand Prix des Provinces. Instead of having a permanent venue, it was designed to alternate between the main regional racecourses of France. The first three editions were held at Bordeaux le Bouscat, Lyon-Parilly and Marseille-Borély.

The early runnings of the Grand Prix des Provinces were contested over 2,000 metres. The event was given Group 3 status in 1984.

The race was renamed in memory of André Baboin in 1986. Baboin served as the chairman of the Société des Courses de Lyon, and was also a committee member of the Société d'Encouragement. He died in 1985.

The Prix André Baboin was extended to 2,200 metres in 1987. It was restored to 2,000 metres in 1993. Its original sequence of venues — Bordeaux, Lyon and Marseille — was repeated until 2000. It was staged at Toulouse in 2001.

The event was switched between Lyon and Bordeaux between 2002 and 2011, and returned to Marseille-Borély in 2012. The 2013 running took place at Bordeaux again, followed by Lyon in 2014. Its distance at Bordeaux is now 1,900 metres.

Records

Most successful horse:

• no horse has won this race more than once

Leading jockey (3 wins):

• Gérald Mossé – Partipral (1994), Astarabad (1997), Right Wing (2000)
• Olivier Peslier – Parme (1995), Homeland (2001), Doctor Dino (2006)

Leading trainer (3 wins):

• Alain de Royer-Dupré – Lowell (1989), Astarabad (1997), Valentino (2004)
• Elie Lellouche – Our Account (1990), Parme (1995), Starlish (2009)
• François Rohaut – Homeland (2001), Sign of the Wolf (2003), Bal de la Rose (2007)

Leading owner (2 wins):

• Gary Tanaka – Homeland (2001), Caesarion (2002)

Winners

Distance and venue

See also

• List of French flat horse races
• Recurring sporting events established in 1982 – this race is included under its original title, Grand Prix des Provinces.

References

• France Galop / Racing Post:
  • 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, 2014

• france-galop.com – A Brief History: Prix André Baboin.
• galopp-sieger.de – Prix André Baboin (ex Grand Prix des Provinces).
• horseracingintfed.com – International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – Prix André Baboin (2014).
• pedigreequery.com – Prix André Baboin.