The Prix du Royal Oak, the French St Leger, was first run at Longchamp in 1861 over 3200 metres when known as the Grand Prix du Prince Imperial, and was won by Palestro, owned by Count Frederic de Lagrange, trained by Thomas Jennings and ridden by A Watkins. In 1869 the race was shortened to 3000 metres and given its present day title of Prix du Royal Oak after Royal Oak, one of the most important stallions in French racing history, which was foaled in 1823. The race was not staged in 1870 or 1871 due to the ongoing Franco-Prussian War. During the First World War the race was abandoned between 1914 and 1918. During the Second World War the 1939 and 1940 races were cancelled, while in 1943 and 1944 the race was held at Le Tremblay. In 1964 the race was extended to 3100 metres, and in 1979 the race was opened up to older horses, losing much of its prestige, having previously been restricted to 3-year-olds, giving horses a chance to land the French Triple Crown, although only two horses, Zut in 1879 and Perth in 1899, have landed the French Triple Crown.