Prestige, prize money, premiums and a great racing programme !
France is a unique racing nation boasting 27 Group 1 races, including the top highest rated race in the world, Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Legendary racecourses, Chantilly, Longchamp, Auteuil, Deauville… host such prestigious races as the Prix du Jockey Club, the Prix de Diane Longines, the Grand Steeple-chase de Paris and the world famous Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Prestige
There has never been a better time to own and race horses in France. Historical training centres, Chantilly, Maisons-Laffitte, designed to craft champions, are located only one hour from the Champs-Elysées. With more than €281.6 millions distributed in 2018, France is the most rewarding system in Europe.
In 2018 each of the 27 Gr.1 races distributed a minimum of €250 000 (total allocations per race), with a minimum of €130 000 for each of the 26 Gr. 2 races and €80 000 for each of the 58 Gr.3 races. The number of listed races has been increased along with a generous boost to prize money.
| Country | World best races | Average Race Rating |
| France | 1st - Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe | 125 |
| Australia | 2nd - LONGINES Queen Elizabeth Stakes | 123.75 |
| England | 3rd - Prince of Wales’s Stakes | 123.25 |
Prize Money & Premiums
Programme
Programme: France offers a rich and diversified racing programme. With over 155 racecourses (plus another 100 reserved for trotting), the Hexagon boasts the highest number of racecourses in Europe. From legendary courses to an extensive network of provincial tracks there is something for participants at every level whether on the flat or over jumps. Still hesitating? Just look at the figures.
| France | Great Britain | Ireland | Germany | |
| Group 1 | Max €5,000,000 | Max €1,770,453 | Max €1,250,000 | Max €650,000 |
| Min €250,000 | Min €256,583 | Min €225,000 | Min €155,000 | |
| Group 2 | Max €400,000 | Max €470,253 | Max €200,000 | Max €153,000 |
| Min €130,000 | Min €115,469 | Min €110,000 | Min €70,000 | |
| Group 3 | Max €80,000 | Max €128,300 | Max €125,000 | Max €155,000 |
| Min €80,000 | Min €76,980 | Min €60,000 | Min €55,000 | |
| Average Prize Money | €24,691 | €16,766 | €22,735 | €10,811 |
| Owners Premiums | +60% at 2 & 3 +45% at 4 & 5 +35% at 6 & up +25% in Gr.1 races, whatever the age | No Premiums | No Premiums | No Premiums |
| Prize Money vs expenses | 52% | 25% | 31% | 30% |
Source: 2015 European Pattern Race, 2014/2015 IFHA, Panorama du Galop 2014.
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