Why have a racehorse in France

In France the betting industry is owned by the government called the PMU. This means that there are no bookmakers at the racecourse but has a major advantage as it means that more money gets invested back into racing. On top of the official prize money there is also an owners premium if you buy French bred horses of up to 75%.

Owner’s Premium

(For French-bred and Assimilated* horses)

In flat races, open to foreign runners, owners of French-bred horses receive a premium for all places in receipt of prizemoney :

There are no premiums for races reserved for horses born and bred in France.

* A foal born outside France is considered to be French if its mare left France after 1st November of the year preceding its birth and the foal returns to France with its dam before 1st September of the year of its birth. The foal must then stay in France until at least 1st June of the following year except for a temporary exportation not exceeding one month.

Please see our links page for the French Racing and Breeding Committee website for more information on owner’s premium.

Racing in France

France has over 200 racecourses across the country, which gives horses of all abilities the opportunity to race at either country or city tracks at all levels. This also gives owners free access to all racecourses, including the prestigious Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe weekend at Longchamp.

There is also easy access to Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany and the United Kingdom for even more options for your horse.
 

Chantilly training centre has great facilities with a variety of training tracks,from natural sand which provides great cushion to grass gallops which are constantly maintained. All of these are very important factors in maintaining soundness and preventing of injuries. Please click on our facilities section for further details.
 

There is very good access to Chantilly from airports ( 25 minutes ), or you can take the train from Paris Gare du Nord (Eurostar ) which is only 50 minutes. There is great accomodations (restaurants or hotels) in Chantilly or stay in Paris.

There is racing all through the season, with good winter racing on the Riviera at Cagnes Sur Mer (Nice), as well as Deauville in December and January on the all weather
The rest of season is mainly concentrated around Paris with tracks like Longchamp, Maisons Laffitte, Chantilly, Saint Cloud and Fontainebleau.The summer meetings consist of Vichy in the centre of France for a week in July and also the Deauville meeting in Normandy, throughout the month of August. This also includes a 4 day yearling sale,provides excellent summer racing and also great enjoyment for owners, trainers and everyone involved.

Transport to the races is subsidised by France Galop if the race is part of a main meeting, if not then there is a €0.2 per Kilometer subsidy which usually covers half the cost.

Buying a French bred horse

France has many claiming races throughout the year from which a number of top UK national hunt trainers now source their future prospects.

Claiming races have the advantage in that the new owner does not usually have to wait a long time before their purchase is ready to race for them, as you would have to with a yearling. Nicolas is always more than happy to attend the races in order claim a horse for an existing or new owner.
 
There are many public sales in France held at the two main sales complexes, Deauville and Saint Cloudand. These sales provide excellent opportunities for owners to purchase horses of all ages  and levels to run on both the flat and over jumps.

Below is a list of sales dates for 2008;

Please see our Links page for website addresses which will provide more information on all aspects of horse racing in France, including races, sales, places to stay etc.