Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris
Encyclopedia
The Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris is a Group 1 steeplechase
in France
which is open to horses
aged five years or older. It is run at Auteuil
over a distance of 5,800 metres (about 3 miles and 5 furlongs), and during its running there are twenty-three fences to be jumped. It is the richest and most prestigious jumps race in France, and it is scheduled to take place each year in late May.
, a famous steeplechase in England. It was originally a handicap race, and it was open to horses aged four or older. The inaugural running was contested over 6,400 metres, and this was cut to 6,000 metres in its second year. The race was given its present title, the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris, in 1876. Its distance was extended to 6,500 metres in 1889.
The race ceased to be a handicap in 1890, when a fixed "weight-for-age
" system was introduced. Four-year-old horses were required to carry 62½ kg, five-year-olds 70 kg and older horses 72½ kg. A penalty of 6 kg was incurred on the previous winners of either this race or the Grand National. The basic weights were subsequently modified several times, and the penalty was gradually reduced until it was eventually discontinued.
The Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris was abandoned throughout World War I
, with no running from 1915 to 1918. Its length was increased to 6,900 metres in 1924, and then restored to 6,500 metres in 1926. During World War II
it was cancelled only once, in 1940. The minimum age of participating horses was raised to five in 1941. The race's distance was reduced to 6,300 metres in 1969, but it returned to 6,500 metres in 1971. The present format, 5,800 metres with twenty-three fences, was introduced in 1981.
The two most successful horses in the race's history are Hyeres III and Katko, who both recorded three victories. A further eight have won the event twice, most recently Princesse d'Anjou in 2006 and 2008. Two winners, Jerry M and Troytown
, also achieved victory in the Grand National. Twelve foreign-trained horses have won, the latest of which was Mandarin in 1962, trained in England by Fulke Walwyn
. The most recent foreign contender to finish in second place was the Irish-trained Captain Christy
in 1975.
Leading jockey
(5 wins):
----
Leading trainer
(6 wins):
----
Leading owner (6 wins):
Double Car finished first in 2002, but he was subsequently disqualified after testing positive for a banned substance.
Recurring events established in 1874 – this race is included under its original title, Grand National de France.
Steeplechase
Steeplechase may refer to:* Steeplechase, an event in horse racing* SteepleChase, a Danish jazz label* Steeplechase , a 1975 arcade game released by Atari...
in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
which is open to horses
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
aged five years or older. It is run at Auteuil
Auteuil Hippodrome
The Auteuil Hippodrome is a horse racing venue on Route des Lacs in Paris, France. The 33-hectare race course opened November 1, 1873...
over a distance of 5,800 metres (about 3 miles and 5 furlongs), and during its running there are twenty-three fences to be jumped. It is the richest and most prestigious jumps race in France, and it is scheduled to take place each year in late May.
History
The event was first run on May 25, 1874, and it was initially known as the Grand National de France. It was intended to be the French equivalent of the Grand NationalGrand National
The Grand National is a world-famous National Hunt horse race which is held annually at Aintree Racecourse, near Liverpool, England. It is a handicap chase run over a distance of four miles and 856 yards , with horses jumping thirty fences over two circuits of Aintree's National Course...
, a famous steeplechase in England. It was originally a handicap race, and it was open to horses aged four or older. The inaugural running was contested over 6,400 metres, and this was cut to 6,000 metres in its second year. The race was given its present title, the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris, in 1876. Its distance was extended to 6,500 metres in 1889.
The race ceased to be a handicap in 1890, when a fixed "weight-for-age
Weight for Age
Weight for Age is a term in Thoroughbred horse racing which is one of the conditions for a race. It means that a horse will carry a set weight in accordance with the Weight for Age Scale. This weight varies depending on the horse’s age, its sex, the race distance and the month of the year...
" system was introduced. Four-year-old horses were required to carry 62½ kg, five-year-olds 70 kg and older horses 72½ kg. A penalty of 6 kg was incurred on the previous winners of either this race or the Grand National. The basic weights were subsequently modified several times, and the penalty was gradually reduced until it was eventually discontinued.
The Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris was abandoned throughout World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, with no running from 1915 to 1918. Its length was increased to 6,900 metres in 1924, and then restored to 6,500 metres in 1926. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
it was cancelled only once, in 1940. The minimum age of participating horses was raised to five in 1941. The race's distance was reduced to 6,300 metres in 1969, but it returned to 6,500 metres in 1971. The present format, 5,800 metres with twenty-three fences, was introduced in 1981.
The two most successful horses in the race's history are Hyeres III and Katko, who both recorded three victories. A further eight have won the event twice, most recently Princesse d'Anjou in 2006 and 2008. Two winners, Jerry M and Troytown
Troytown (horse)
Troytown was a National Hunt racehorse whose career was cut short by a fatal fall in the 1920 Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris. The habit of bludgeoning his way through fences, which caused the accident, had long been with Troytown...
, also achieved victory in the Grand National. Twelve foreign-trained horses have won, the latest of which was Mandarin in 1962, trained in England by Fulke Walwyn
Fulke Walwyn
Fulke Thomas Tyndall Walwyn was a British jockey and racehorse trainer specialising mainly in National Hunt racing. He was born in Wrexham and died in Newbury.He was educated at Malvern College....
. The most recent foreign contender to finish in second place was the Irish-trained Captain Christy
Captain Christy
Captain Christy was an Irish-bred and Irish-trained racehorse, who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup as a novice.In spite of an alarming tendency to make mistakes, Captain Christy was one of the very best Irish chasers of his era and his 30 lengths demolition of Bula in the 1975 King George VI Chase at...
in 1975.
Records
Leading jockey
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
(5 wins):
- Jean Daumas – Xanthor (1959), Cousin Pons (1961), Hyeres III (1964, 1965, 1966)
----
Leading trainer
Horse trainer
In horse racing, a trainer prepares a horse for races, with responsibility for exercising it, getting it race-ready and determining which races it should enter...
(6 wins):
- Bernard SéclyBernard SeclyBernard Secly is a horse trainer in Thoroughbred flat racing and most notably in steeplechase racing.Secly won five Group One flat races but is best known for his conditioning two French Horse Racing Hall of Fame steeplechase horses, Katko and Al Capone II.-External links:*...
– Mon Filleul (1978), Katko (1988, 1989, 1990), Al Capone II (1997), El Paso III (2002)
----
Leading owner (6 wins):
- Arthur Veil-Picard – Saint Caradec (1909), Blagueur II (1911), Ultimatum (1913), Fleuret (1935), Ingre (1937, 1939)
Winners since 1949
| Year |
Winner |
Age |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Owner |
| 1949 | Bouzoulou | 6 | René Beche | Daniel Lescalle | André de Fels |
| 1950 | Meli Melo | 8 | René Emery | William Head | Lucienne Aurousseau |
| 1951 | Nagara | 9 | Paul Hiéronimus | Noël Pelat | James P. Philipps |
| 1952 | Tournay | 5 | Pierre Delfarguiel | Robert Baril | Georges Courtois |
| 1953 | Pharamond | 7 | Marcel Maschio | Maurice Adèle | René Landon |
| 1954 | Orleans | 7 | Paul Péraldi | Valère Péraldi | Roger Nachbaum |
| 1955 | Farfatch | 5 | Claude Maire | Maurice Wallon | Edouard Gugenheim |
| 1956 | Necor | 8 | Henri T'Kint | Peter Head | Jean Etchepare |
| 1957 | Bonosnap | 6 | Guy Chancelier | Georges Pelat | Antonin Mourrut |
| 1958 | Sidere | 7 | Maurice Prod'homme | André Adèle | Baron Henry de Blonay |
| 1959 | Xanthor | 9 | Jean Daumas | Henri Gleizes | James de Rothschild |
| 1960 | Kingcraft | 10 | Gérard Philippeau | Peter Head | Jean de Marcilly |
| 1961 | Cousin Pons | 5 | Jean Daumas | Max Bonaventure | Jean Stern |
| 1962 | Mandarin | 11 | Fred Winter Fred Winter (horse racing) Frederick Thomas Winter was a British National Hunt racing racehorse jockey and trainer. He was British jump racing Champion Jockey four times and British jump racing Champion Trainer eight times. He is the only person to have won the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle and Grand National as both... |
Fulke Walwyn Fulke Walwyn Fulke Thomas Tyndall Walwyn was a British jockey and racehorse trainer specialising mainly in National Hunt racing. He was born in Wrexham and died in Newbury.He was educated at Malvern College.... |
Peggy Hennessy |
| 1963 | Loreto | 9 | René Kirchhofer | Pierre Pelat | Pierre Mercier |
| 1964 | Hyeres III | 6 | Jean Daumas | Léon Gaumondy | Max Gadala |
| 1965 | Hyeres III | 7 | Jean Daumas | Léon Gaumondy | Max Gadala |
| 1966 | Hyeres III | 8 | Jean Daumas | Léon Gaumondy | Mrs Léon Gaumondy |
| 1967 | Cacao | 6 | Gérard Migeon | Henri Gleizes | Baron P. de Posson |
| 1968 | Haroue | 6 | Bernard Vanheeghe | Léon Gaumondy | Jérôme Blum |
| 1969 | Huron | 5 | Claude Drieu | André Adèle | Bernard Larrousé |
| 1970 | Huron | 6 | Claude Drieu | André Adèle | Bernard Larrousé |
| 1971 | Pot d'Or | 5 | J. J. Declercq | Maurice Wallon | Robert Weill |
| 1972 | Morgex | 8 | Jean-Paul Ciravegna | Jean Sens | Mrs Michel Marie |
| 1973 | Giquin | 6 | Jean-Pierre Creveuil | André Adèle | María Félix Berger María Félix María Félix was a Mexican film actress and one of the icons of the golden era of the Cinema of Mexico and also one of the myths of the Spanish language Cinema for her life style and personality... |
| 1974 | Chic Type | 7 | Jean-Pierre Renard | Jean-Jacques Beaumé | Gaston Murray |
| 1975 | Air Landais | 5 | Patrick Beyer | Georges Pelat | Mrs Marie-Claire Frolich |
| 1976 | Piomares | 5 | Guy Négrel | Domingo Perea | Joseph Kalda |
| 1977 | Corps a Corps | 5 | André Fabre André Fabre André Fabre is a French thoroughbred horse racing trainer.The son of a diplomat, Fabre graduated from university with a law degree but then decided to pursue a career in thoroughbred horse racing. He began by working in the stables as a groom then as a schooling rider... |
André Adèle | Baron Thierry van Zuylen |
| 1978 | Mon Filleul | 5 | Jean-Luc Llorens | Bernard Sécly Bernard Secly Bernard Secly is a horse trainer in Thoroughbred flat racing and most notably in steeplechase racing.Secly won five Group One flat races but is best known for his conditioning two French Horse Racing Hall of Fame steeplechase horses, Katko and Al Capone II.-External links:*... |
Jean-Claude Weill |
| 1979 | Chinco | 7 | Patrice Brame | Jean-Paul Gallorini | Giuseppe Campanella |
| 1980 | Fondeur | 7 | Marc Legrand | André Fabre André Fabre André Fabre is a French thoroughbred horse racing trainer.The son of a diplomat, Fabre graduated from university with a law degree but then decided to pursue a career in thoroughbred horse racing. He began by working in the stables as a groom then as a schooling rider... |
Albert Bézard |
| 1981 | Isopani | 7 | Alain Chelet | André Fabre André Fabre André Fabre is a French thoroughbred horse racing trainer.The son of a diplomat, Fabre graduated from university with a law degree but then decided to pursue a career in thoroughbred horse racing. He began by working in the stables as a groom then as a schooling rider... |
Pierre David |
| 1982 | Metatero | 9 | Bruno Jollivet | André Fabre André Fabre André Fabre is a French thoroughbred horse racing trainer.The son of a diplomat, Fabre graduated from university with a law degree but then decided to pursue a career in thoroughbred horse racing. He began by working in the stables as a groom then as a schooling rider... |
Gérard Margogne |
| 1983 | Jasmin II | 8 | Michel Chirol | André Fabre André Fabre André Fabre is a French thoroughbred horse racing trainer.The son of a diplomat, Fabre graduated from university with a law degree but then decided to pursue a career in thoroughbred horse racing. He began by working in the stables as a groom then as a schooling rider... |
Michel Thibault |
| 1984 | Brodi Dancer | 6 | Denis Leblond | Pierre Biancone | Mrs Claude Diallo |
| 1985 | Sir Gain | 6 | Serge Bérard | Léon Gaumondy | Mrs Louis Belotti |
| 1986 | Otage du Perche | 6 | Serge Bérard | Philippe Lamotte d'Argy | Philippe Lamotte d'Argy |
| 1987 | Oteuil | 7 | Bruno Jollivet | René Cherruau | Mrs Raymond Saulais |
| 1988 | Katko | 5 | Dominique Vincent | Bernard Sécly Bernard Secly Bernard Secly is a horse trainer in Thoroughbred flat racing and most notably in steeplechase racing.Secly won five Group One flat races but is best known for his conditioning two French Horse Racing Hall of Fame steeplechase horses, Katko and Al Capone II.-External links:*... |
Pierre de Montesson |
| 1989 | Katko | 6 | Jean-Yves Beaurain | Bernard Sécly Bernard Secly Bernard Secly is a horse trainer in Thoroughbred flat racing and most notably in steeplechase racing.Secly won five Group One flat races but is best known for his conditioning two French Horse Racing Hall of Fame steeplechase horses, Katko and Al Capone II.-External links:*... |
Pierre de Montesson |
| 1990 | Katko | 7 | Jean-Yves Beaurain | Bernard Sécly Bernard Secly Bernard Secly is a horse trainer in Thoroughbred flat racing and most notably in steeplechase racing.Secly won five Group One flat races but is best known for his conditioning two French Horse Racing Hall of Fame steeplechase horses, Katko and Al Capone II.-External links:*... |
Pierre de Montesson |
| 1991 | The Fellow The Fellow The Fellow was an AQPS top-class National Hunt racehorse in the early 1990s. He won the 1994 Cheltenham Gold Cup and narrowly lost the 1991 and 1992 renewals. He also won the 1991 and 1992 King George VI Chase and the 1991 Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris. Along with Mandarin he is one of only two... |
6 | Dominique Vincent | François Doumen François Doumen François Doumen is a French racehorse trainer currently based at Boucé, Orne. From 1956 to 1970 he was an amateur jockey, and he then worked as an assistant trainer to his father Jean. He obtained his own training licence in 1977.... |
Marquesa de Moratalla |
| 1992 | El Triunfo | 6 | Dominique Vincent | François Rohaut | Mrs Francis Montauban |
| 1993 | Ucello II | 7 | Christophe Aubert | François Doumen François Doumen François Doumen is a French racehorse trainer currently based at Boucé, Orne. From 1956 to 1970 he was an amateur jockey, and he then worked as an assistant trainer to his father Jean. He obtained his own training licence in 1977.... |
Marquesa de Moratalla |
| 1994 | Ucello II | 8 | Christophe Aubert | François Doumen François Doumen François Doumen is a French racehorse trainer currently based at Boucé, Orne. From 1956 to 1970 he was an amateur jockey, and he then worked as an assistant trainer to his father Jean. He obtained his own training licence in 1977.... |
Marquesa de Moratalla |
| 1995 | Ubu III | 9 | Philippe Chevalier | François Doumen François Doumen François Doumen is a French racehorse trainer currently based at Boucé, Orne. From 1956 to 1970 he was an amateur jockey, and he then worked as an assistant trainer to his father Jean. He obtained his own training licence in 1977.... |
Marquesa de Moratalla |
| 1996 | Arenice | 8 | Philippe Sourzac | Guillaume Macaire | Mrs Francis Montauban |
| 1997 | Al Capone II Al Capone II Al Capone II is a French Autre Que Pur-Sang steeplechaser. Sired by the Selle Francais jumper, Italic, and out of the mare L'Oranaise, he is a full brother to The Fellow who won the 1991 Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris, the 1991 & 1992 King George VI Chase, and the 1994 Cheltenham Gold Cup.Al... |
9 | Jean-Yves Beaurain | Bernard Sécly Bernard Secly Bernard Secly is a horse trainer in Thoroughbred flat racing and most notably in steeplechase racing.Secly won five Group One flat races but is best known for his conditioning two French Horse Racing Hall of Fame steeplechase horses, Katko and Al Capone II.-External links:*... |
Robert Fougedoire |
| 1998 | First Gold First Gold (horse) First Gold was a National Hunt racehorse that was trained by François Doumen.The horse won the 2000 King George VI Chase race by a distance of 10 lengths when ridden by Thierry Doumen, beating Florida Pearl into second place. At the time of the win the horse was owned by the Marquesa de... |
5 | Thierry Doumen | François Doumen François Doumen François Doumen is a French racehorse trainer currently based at Boucé, Orne. From 1956 to 1970 he was an amateur jockey, and he then worked as an assistant trainer to his father Jean. He obtained his own training licence in 1977.... |
Marquesa de Moratalla |
| 1999 | Mandarino | 6 | Philippe Chevalier | Marcel Rolland | Mrs Didier Ricard |
| 2000 | Vieux Beaufai | 7 | Pierre Bigot | Frédéric Danloux | Ecurie Siklos |
| 2001 | Kotkijet | 6 | Thierry Majorcryk | Jean-Paul Gallorini | Daniel Wildenstein Daniel Wildenstein Daniel Leopold Wildenstein was a French art dealer and scholar, as well as a leading thoroughbred race horse owner and breeder.... |
| 2002 | El Paso III | 10 | Laurent Métais | Bernard Sécly Bernard Secly Bernard Secly is a horse trainer in Thoroughbred flat racing and most notably in steeplechase racing.Secly won five Group One flat races but is best known for his conditioning two French Horse Racing Hall of Fame steeplechase horses, Katko and Al Capone II.-External links:*... |
Robert Fougedoire |
| 2003 | Line Marine | 6 | Christophe Pieux | Christophe Aubert | Mrs Georges Vuillard |
| 2004 | Kotkijet | 9 | Thierry Majorcryk | Jean-Paul Gallorini | Ecurie Wildenstein |
| 2005 | Sleeping Jack | 6 | Christophe Pieux | Jacques Ortet | Raoul Temam |
| 2006 | Princesse d'Anjou | 5 | Philip Carberry | François-Marie Cottin | Jean-Paul Sénéchal |
| 2007 | Mid Dancer | 6 | Cyrille Gombeau | Arnaud Chaillé-Chaillé | Sean Mulryan |
| 2008 | Princesse d'Anjou | 7 | Philip Carberry | François-Marie Cottin | Jean-Paul Sénéchal |
| 2009 | Remember Rose Remember Rose Remember Rose is an Irish racehorse, by Insatiable out of Couture Rose, bred and owned by Ernst Iten and trained by Jean-Paul Gallorini. He won the 2009 Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris, ridden by Christophe Pieux. He has won eight of his 25 starts.-External links:*... |
6 | Christophe Pieux | Jean-Paul Gallorini | Ernst Iten |
| 2010 | Polar Rochelais | 7 | Jerôme Zuliani | Patrice Quinton | Ecurie des Dunes |
| 2011 | Mid Dancer | 10 | Sylvain Dehez | Christophe Aubert | Pegasus Farms Ltd |
Double Car finished first in 2002, but he was subsequently disqualified after testing positive for a banned substance.
See also
Recurring events established in 1874 – this race is included under its original title, Grand National de France.