The Prix Belle de Nuit is a
Group 3 flat
Flat or flats may refer to:
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horse race
Horse racing is an equestrian performance sport, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its basic p ...
in France open to
thoroughbred fillies and
mares aged three years or older. It is run at
Saint-Cloud over a distance of 2,800 metres (about 1¾ miles) each year in October or November.
History
The race was formerly held at
Évry, where during the mid-1970s it was run over 1,800 metres. At this time it was classed at Listed level, and for a period it was restricted to three-year-olds. It was extended to 2,400 metres in 1978, and opened to four-year-olds in 1985.
The upper age limit was removed in 1994, when the race was temporarily switched to Saint-Cloud. It returned to Évry in 1995, and was run again at Saint-Cloud in 1996 and 1997. It began a seven-year spell at
Maisons-Laffitte in 1998, and was increased to 2,500 metres in 2000. It reverted to 2,400 metres in 2003, and was restored to 2,500 metres in 2004.
For several years thereafter the Prix Belle de Nuit moved to various venues. It took place at Saint-Cloud in 2005, 2006 and 2008, and at
Fontainebleau
Fontainebleau (; ) is a commune in the metropolitan area of Paris, France. It is located south-southeast of the centre of Paris. Fontainebleau is a sub-prefecture of the Seine-et-Marne department, and it is the seat of the ''arrondissement ...
in 2007, 2009 and 2011. It was held at
Deauville in 2010, and on this occasion it was run on an
artificial surface over 2,400 metres.
The race's current period at Saint-Cloud began in 2012. It was promoted to Group 3 status and extended to 2,800 metres in 2018.
Records
Most successful horse since 1976 (2 wins):
* Sidara – ''1987, 1988''
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Leading
jockey
A jockey is someone who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing. The word "jockey" originated from England and was used to describe the individual ...
since 1976 (5 wins):
*
Freddy Head - ''Sevres (1977), Souveraine (1978), Eternity (1980), Princesse Vali (1982), Dancing Vaguely (1984)''
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Leading
trainer since 1976 (5 wins):
*
André Fabre – ''Sidara (1987, 1988), Hijaz (1999), Luna Sacra (2001), Sassella (2015)''
----
Leading owner since 1976 (3 wins):
*
HH Aga Khan IV – ''Kermiya (1976), Nawazish (1981), Behkara (2004)''
*
Alec Head
Alec Head (31 July 1924 – 22 June 2022) was a French horse trainer and breeder.
Biography
Head was the owner of Haras du Quesnay, located near Deauville. A descendant of the trainers who founded the English Racing Colony in Chantilly, Oise, He ...
– ''Sevres (1977), Souveraine (1978), Eternity (1980)''
*
Jean-Luc Lagardère
Jean-Luc Lagardère (10 February 1928, Aubiet – 14 March 2003, Paris) was a major French businessman, CEO of the Lagardère Group, one of the largest French conglomerates.
Jean-Luc Lagardère was a '' Supelec'' engineer. He began his caree ...
– ''Majority (1979), Karmichah (1989), Luna Sacra (2001)''
Winners since 1976
See also
*
List of French flat horse races
References
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*
France Galop
France Galop is the governing body of flat and steeplechase horse racing in France. It was founded on May 3, 1995, as the result of the amalgamation of four different industry organizations. Prominent owner/breeder Jean-Luc Lagardère was elected ...
/
Racing Post
''Racing Post'' is a British daily horse racing, greyhound racing and sports betting publisher which is published in print and digital formats. It is printed in tabloid format from Monday to Sunday. , it has an average daily circulation of 6 ...
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horseracingintfed.com– ''International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – Prix Belle de Nuit (2018).''
pedigreequery.com– ''Prix Belle de Nuit (1976–2012).''
pedigreequery.com– ''Prix Belle de Nuit (2013–present).''
– ''Prix Belle de Nuit.''
Long-distance horse races for fillies and mares
Saint-Cloud Racecourse
Horse races in France