VICHY RACECOURSE
Vichy Racecourse is situated on Bellerive grounds near the River Allier in the Auvergne region of the country. Its first meeting took place in 1875 on a course with a circumference of 2000 metres with a straight run-in of 800 metres.
	The principal race is the Group 3 Grand Prix De Vichy which is run over 2000 metres each July. It was first contested in 1875 when won by Damoiseau.It is for 3 year olds and upwards and on 3 occasions a horse has won it twice. In 1979 and 1980 Perouges did the double; in 1993 and 1995 Marildo achieved the double, whilst the lates horse to do the double was Touch of Land in 2005 and 2006. The most recent encounter was won by Hippy, ridden by Pierre Charles Boudot, trained by Eric Labaud and owned by Jacques Seror.
The course hosts 5 Listed races, all being held during the Festival of the Gallop in July. For 2 year olds there is the Prix des Reves d'Or and the Prix des Jouvenceaux et des Jouvencelles. For 3 year olds there is the Prix Frederic de Lagrange over 2400 metres, whilst for 3 year old fillies there is the Prix Madame Jean Couturie over 2000 metres. For 4 year olds and upwards there is the Prix Jacques de Bremond over 1600 metres.
	The course holds flat racing, racing over jumps and harness racing, and is the only French course to host evening racing. For further information go to www.courses-de-vichy.fr
If you have badges, racecards, pictures of the racecourse or further details about the course, including your memories, then email johnslusar@fsmail.net