Prix Perth

The Prix Perth is a Group 3 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Saint-Cloud over a distance of 1,600 metres (about 1 mile), and it is scheduled to take place each year in late October or early November.

History

The event is named after Perth, a successful racehorse whose career concluded in 1900. It was established in 1901, and was originally run at Maisons-Laffitte over 2,200 metres. It was extended to 2,400 metres in 1906, and to 2,500 metres in 1908.

The Prix Perth was abandoned throughout World War I, with no running from 1914 to 1918. It was held at Saint-Cloud over 2,400 metres in 1919, and at Maisons-Laffitte over 2,500 metres in 1920. A period at Saint-Cloud over 2,500 metres began in 1921.

The race was cancelled twice during World War II, in 1939 and 1940. It was switched to Longchamp and increased to 3,000 metres in 1941. It was staged at Maisons-Laffitte in 1943, Le Tremblay in 1944, and Longchamp again in 1945. It reverted to 2,500 metres at Saint-Cloud in 1946.

The current version of the Prix Perth was introduced in 1949. From this point its distance was 1,600 metres. It was contested at Longchamp in 1954, and returned to Saint-Cloud in 1955.

The present system of race grading started in 1971, and the Prix Perth was classed at Group 3 level. It was shortened to 1,550 metres in 1978, and restored to 1,600 metres the following year.

Records

Most successful horse (2 wins):

• Exema – 1902, 1903
• Le Debardeur – 1925, 1926
• Jim and Tonic – 1997, 2000

Leading jockey (5 wins):

• Paul Blanc – Prince Ki (1946), Symphonie (1947), Ksarinor (1950), Bougainville (1951), Riverain (1953)
• Dominique Boeuf – French Stress (1988), Handsome Ridge (1998), Special Kaldoun (2002), Passager (2006), Zafisio (2009)

Leading trainer (4 wins):

• Criquette Head-Maarek – Gay Minstrel (1986), Malaspina (1987), Danzigaway (1999), Passager (2006)

Leading owner (3 wins):

• Jean Stern – Bougainville (1951), Sweet Home (1957), Lelio (1960)
• Mahmoud Fustok – Hilal (1980), Green Paradise (1984), Over the Ocean (1985)

Winners since 1981

^a Neverneyev finished first in 1995, but he was relegated to second place following a stewards' inquiry.

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, 2014

• france-galop.com – A Brief History: Prix Perth.
• galopp-sieger.de – Prix Perth.
• horseracingintfed.com – International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – Prix Perth (2015).
• pedigreequery.com – Prix Perth – Saint-Cloud.