Post covid-19 France horse racing fixture is published by French officials with proposed reshuffle as the country looks to resume racing in the coming weeks.
As corona virus restrictions are set to be eased across the nation from May 11, France Galop revealed a revised schedule that would see the unusual sight for the French 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas staged on Monday June 1.
Paris racecourse Longchamp is still scheduled to host the Classic races despite the nation’s capital still considered a ‘red zone’ by French health authorities.
Among the reshuffle are several high profile Group 1 races. The Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary and Prix Ganay will be run on June 14, the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud on June 28 and the French Derby and Oaks a week later on July 5.
The Prix d’Ispahan has been moved to July 19 and, for this season only, is open to three-year-olds.
When Longchamp opens its doors on May 11, it will host a key trials day for top-level events set to be staged later in the year. The feature is the Group 2 Prix d’Harcourt – a key early-season Arc trial won by Al Kazeem, Cloth Of Stars and Ghaiyyath in recent years.
The main trials for the two Guineas, the Prix de la Grotte and Prix de Fontainebleau, are also scheduled along with the Prix de Saint-Georges, a Group 3 sprint.
The meeting will also supplement racing in the French regional cities of Toulouse and Compiegne.
However there will be races lost to the calendar as the France Galop moves to prioritise its biggest races.
The Maisons-Laffitte’s Group 2 Prix Eugene Adam will not be run this year. A key Arc trial, the Group 2 Prix Niel, has also been scrapped with the Group 1 Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris to take that race’s slot on September 13.
France’s Jumps program has taken a significant restructure in order to provide more opportunities for Flat racing, however the Grand Steeple Chase de Paris and Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil will go ahead on June 7.
All racing in France has been suspended since March 17. Racing will take place behind closed doors and open only to horses and jockeys who reside in the country. Foreign horses, jockeys and trainers will not be permitted to compete under French health regulations.
Revised Group/Grade 1 French races dates
May 11 Racing restarts with Classic trials, including the Group 2 Prix d’Harcourt
June 1 French 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas, Longchamp
June 7 Grand Steeple Chase de Paris and Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil, Auteuil
June 13 Prix Alain du Breil and Ferdinand Dufaure, Auteuil
June 14 Prix Saint-Alary and Prix Ganay, Longchamp
June 28 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, Saint-Cloud
July 5 Prix du Jockey Club and Prix de Diane, Chantilly
July 12 Prix Jean Prat, Deauville
July 19 Prix d’Ispahan, Chantilly
August 2 Prix Rothschild, Deauville
August 9 Prix Maurice de Gheest, Deauville
August 16 Prix Jacques le Marois, Deauville
August 23 Prix Jean Romanet and Prix Morny, Deauville
September 13 Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris, Longchamp
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