Why have a racehorse in France

In France the betting industry is owned by the government, it is like the Tote and we call it the PMU. You won’t find any bookies on the course but this has one big plus for racehorse owners, more money goes back into the pot for the owner. 

On top of the official prize money there is an owners premium if you buy French bred horses of up to 85% of prize money.

These additional premiums are calculated on all prize money won, as follows:

85% - 2 Year Olds at Listed or Group 3 level

75% - 2 Year Olds all other races

73% - 3 Year Olds at Listed or Group 3 level

63% - 3 Year Olds all other races

58% - 4 Year Olds at Listed or Group 3 level

48% - 4 Year Olds all other races

French racing have earnings up to 5th place and an average race near Paris would have prize money of up to €22K total.
 

     €11K (50%) goes to the winner
     €4.4K(20%) to the second
     €3.3k(15%) to the third
     €2.2K(10%) to the  fourth
     €1.1K(5%) to the fifth

France has over 200 racecourses across the country, which gives all abilities the opportunity to race at interesting country or city tracks, and gives owners free access to all racecourses, including the prestigious Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe weekend at Longchamp. (Click on the French Racing banner above for more details)

There is also easy access to Italy and Germany for additional options for your horse.
 
Chantilly training center has great facilities with a variety of training tracks, good natural sand which provides great cushion and is constantly maintained. All of this are very important factors for soundness and prevention of injuries. Please do click on the facilities section for further details.

There is a peaceful environment as well as it is not overcrowded which proves a big help for horse relaxation.
 
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 concentrate around Paris with tracks like Longchamp, Maisons Laffitte, Chantilly, Saint Cloud and Fontainebleau.
 
There are summer meetings the third week in July for a week in Vichy (center of France) and Deauville (Normandy) mid July, as well as all through August.
 
Transport is subsidized 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 and leading national hunt trainer in the UK, Martin Pipe, buys a number of his young horses in France.

Claiming races are great because you do not have to wait for a yearling to develop before you can race. They are usually ready to race again very soon after you have purchased them. I would be happy to attend a race and claim a horse for you.

You can also buy horses privately through agents or directly with another trainer.

There are many public sales and important dates are the April breeze up 2 years old sales at Goffs France in Saint cloud (15 minutes from Paris). The July sales at Goffs France on 1st of July (mostly horses in training and they are good value for money).

Goffs France Arc sale October 1st (on the eve of Arc de Triomphe race) prestigious sales with small but select catalogue of horses in training.  Goffs France November sales on the 14th of November ( A mixed sale with breeding and racing stock for both flat or jumps).

The  Agence Francaise sale is held in Deauville where you can buy yearlings (approximately 500 catalogued) on August 21st to 24th October and there are December sales for breeding stock, fillies in training and horses in training.

So why not make a weekend of it and come and buy and race your horse in France.

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Training Fees

Training fees are around €2,000 per month.