Prix Daru
Encyclopedia
The Prix Daru was a Group 2
flat
horse race
in France
which was open to three-year-old thoroughbred
s. It was run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,100 metres (about 1 mile and 2½ furlongs), and it was scheduled to take place each year in mid April.
It was one of several races which were collectively known as the Poules des Produits. These were the key trials for the Prix du Jockey Club
which were introduced by the Société d'Encouragement in the 19th century. The other events (listed by their modern titles) were the Prix Lupin
, the Prix Hocquart
, the Prix Noailles
and the Prix Greffulhe
. With the exception of the Prix Lupin (the Grande Poule des Produits), each race had specific conditions of entry based on the nationality of a horse's sire or dam. The condition assigned to the Prix Daru, first implemented in 1885, was that the dams of participating horses were born outside France. An entry was submitted before a horse's birth, in the year of its conception. A large number of paying entries enabled the event to be funded.
The Prix Daru merged with the Prix Noailles in 1943, and the combined event was called the Prix Daru-Noailles. Both races usually took place at Longchamp, but the merged event was temporarily switched to Le Tremblay
(1943) and Maisons-Laffitte
(1944–45). The first running was contested over 2,400 metres, and it was then cut to 2,100 metres. The 1946 edition was held at Longchamp, and after this the Prix Daru and the Prix Noailles were restored as two separate races.
When the present system of race grading was introduced in 1971, the Prix Daru was classed at Group 2 level. It was last run in 1977, and the final winner was Carwhite, ridden by Freddy Head
, trained by Alec Head
and owned by Jacques Wertheimer
.
Recurring events established in 1841 – the Prix Daru is included under its original title, Poule des Produits.
Conditions races
Conditions races are horse races where the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to; the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving...
flat
Flat racing
Flat racing is a form of Thoroughbred horse racing which is run over a level track at a predetermined distance. It differs from steeplechase racing which is run over hurdles...
horse race
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...
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 was open to three-year-old thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
s. It was run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,100 metres (about 1 mile and 2½ furlongs), and it was scheduled to take place each year in mid April.
History
The event was established in 1841, and it was originally called the Poule des Produits. It was initially held at the Champ de Mars, and it was later transferred to Longchamp. Its title was changed to the Prix Daru in 1877.It was one of several races which were collectively known as the Poules des Produits. These were the key trials for the Prix du Jockey Club
Prix du Jockey Club
The Prix du Jockey Club, sometimes referred to as the French Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
which were introduced by the Société d'Encouragement in the 19th century. The other events (listed by their modern titles) were the Prix Lupin
Prix Lupin
The Prix Lupin was a Group 1 flat horse race in France which was open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It was run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,100 metres , and it was scheduled to take place each year in May....
, the Prix Hocquart
Prix Hocquart
The Prix Hocquart is a Group 2 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,200 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.-History:...
, the Prix Noailles
Prix Noailles
The Prix Noailles is a Group 2 flat horse race in France which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,000 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in April.-History:...
and the Prix Greffulhe
Prix Greffulhe
The Prix Greffulhe is a Group 2 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Saint-Cloud over a distance of 2,000 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.-History:...
. With the exception of the Prix Lupin (the Grande Poule des Produits), each race had specific conditions of entry based on the nationality of a horse's sire or dam. The condition assigned to the Prix Daru, first implemented in 1885, was that the dams of participating horses were born outside France. An entry was submitted before a horse's birth, in the year of its conception. A large number of paying entries enabled the event to be funded.
The Prix Daru merged with the Prix Noailles in 1943, and the combined event was called the Prix Daru-Noailles. Both races usually took place at Longchamp, but the merged event was temporarily switched to Le Tremblay
Tremblay park
Tremblay Park is a park located in the commune of Champigny-sur-Marne, in the department of Val-de-Marne in the region Île-de-France. This green space with an area of 73 hectares offering games and sporting activities. Originally, this was a horse race track called Hippodrome du Tremblay...
(1943) and Maisons-Laffitte
Maisons-Laffitte Racecourse
The Hippodrome de Maisons-Laffitte at 1 avenue de la Pelouse in the northwestern Parisian suburb of Maisons-Laffitte in France is a turf horse racing facility and track for Thoroughbred flat racing...
(1944–45). The first running was contested over 2,400 metres, and it was then cut to 2,100 metres. The 1946 edition was held at Longchamp, and after this the Prix Daru and the Prix Noailles were restored as two separate races.
When the present system of race grading was introduced in 1971, the Prix Daru was classed at Group 2 level. It was last run in 1977, and the final winner was Carwhite, ridden by Freddy Head
Freddy Head
Freddy Head is a retired champion jockey in Thoroughbred horse racing and currently a horse trainer. Known also as "Freddie", his grandfather was a jockey as was his father Alec Head who also became a successful trainer and owner of Haras du Quesnay near Deauville...
, trained by Alec Head
Alec Head
Alec Head was a prominent French horseman and breeder and the owner of Haras du Quesnay near Deauville. A descendant of the great trainers who founded the English Racing Colony in Chantilly, Oise, Head's grandfather was a jockey-turned-trainer, as was his father William Head who was a very...
and owned by Jacques Wertheimer
Jacques Wertheimer
Jacques Guy Wertheimer was a prominent French businessman who inherited and ran the renowned House of Chanel perfume company...
.
See also
Recurring events established in 1841 – the Prix Daru is included under its original title, Poule des Produits.