Chantilly racecourse is based in Chantilly, Oise about 24 miles north of Paris. Its first recorded meeting was held on 15th May 1834, whilst its facilities were improved significantly over the next 45 years, including a grandstand, which is still operational today, which was opened in 1879. The racecourse can call on 5 different tracks, including turf and all-weather polytracks, the largest of which has a perimeter of 12 furlongs with a 3 furlong finishing straight. Racing was postponed in the 1870s due to War, and again between 1915 and 1918 due to the First World War. Racing also ceased after the German invasion in 1940 when the racecourse was used by the Nazis as an airport. Its most important race is the Prix du Jockey Club, in June, which was first run in 1836 for 3 year olds over 2100 metres. That inaugural event was won by Frank. In 1976 Youth won it for Maurice Zilber and Freddie Head. It also holds 2 other Group 1 events, the Prix de Diane (over 2100 metres or 1 mile 2 ½ furlongs) in June and Prix Jean Prat. The former was first run in 1843 when won by Nativa. The Prix Jean Prat was first run in 1858 over a mile (1600 metres) for 3 year olds, although the early races were contested at Longchamp. In those early days it was known as the Prix Biennel, and it was only in 1940 that it became the Prix Jean Prat, named after Jean Prat (1847-1940) who influenced the way horse racing developed in the first half of the 20th century. In 1985 it was promoted to Group 1 status when Baillamont provided Cash Asmussen with the middle of 3 consecutive winners. Whilst the results of the Prix Du Jockey Club are freely available on the internet, winners of the Prix de Diane and Prix Jean Prat are shown below. |
