The Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp is a

Group 1 Group 1 may refer to: * Alkali metal, a chemical element classification for Alkali metal * Group 1 (motorsport), a regulation set of the FIA for series-production touring cars used in motorsport. * Group One Thoroughbred horse races, the leading e ...

flat

horse race Horse racing is an equestrian performance activity, 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 bas ...

in France open to

thoroughbred The Thoroughbred is a list of horse breeds, horse breed developed for Thoroughbred racing, horse racing. Although the word ''thoroughbred'' is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thorough ...

s aged two years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 1,000 metres (about 5 furlongs), and it is scheduled to take place each year in early October.

History

The event is named after the Abbaye de Longchamp, an abbey founded in the 13th century by

Isabelle Isabel is a female name of Iberian origin. Isabelle is a name that is similar, but it is of French origin. It originates as the medieval Spanish form of '' Elisabeth'' (ultimately Hebrew ''Elisheba''). Arising in the 12th century, it became popul ...

, the sister of Saint Louis. The abbey was located on what became the northern edge of the racecourse. It was destroyed during the French Revolution, and its site is now partly occupied by the Château de Longchamp. The Prix de l'Abbaye was one of two major races introduced to celebrate Longchamp's centenary in 1957. Both were added to the

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe () is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris over a distance ...

fixture, which is usually on the first Sunday in October. The other event, the

Prix du Moulin The Prix du Moulin de Longchamp is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 1,600 metres (about 1 mile), and it is s ...

, was subsequently moved to September. The present system of race grading was introduced in 1971, and the Prix de l'Abbaye was initially given Group 2 status. It was promoted to Group 1 level in 1976. It originally excluded

gelding A gelding (Help:IPA/English, /ˈɡɛldɪŋ/) is a castration, castrated male horse or other equine, such as a pony, donkey or a mule. The term is also used with certain other animals and livestock, such as domesticated Camelidae, camels. By compa ...

s, but the restriction was lifted in 2001. The Prix de l'Abbaye became part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge series in 2009. From this point the winner earned an automatic invitation to compete in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. It was removed from the series in 2011.

Records

Most successful horse (2 wins): * Texanita – ''1963, 1964'' * Gentilhombre – ''1976 (dead-heat), 1977'' * Committed – ''1984, 1985'' * Lochsong – ''1993, 1994'' Leading

jockey A jockey is someone who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase (horse racing), 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 ...

(5 wins): *

Yves Saint-Martin Yves Saint-Martin (born 8 September 1941 in Agen, Lot-et-Garonne, France) is a retired champion jockey in French Thoroughbred horse race, Thoroughbred horse racing. He is widely considered one of the greatest riders in French racing history. ...

– ''Fortino (1962), Texanita (1963), Silver Shark (1965), Farhana (1966), Lianga (1975)'' Leading trainer (8 wins): * François Mathet – ''Texana (1957), Edellic (1958), Fortino (1962), Texanita (1963, 1964), Silver Shark (1965), Farhana (1966), Moubariz (1974)'' Leading owner (4 wins): *

François Dupré François Louis Jules Dupré (; 3 December 1888 – 26 June 1966) was a French, hotelier, art collector, and owner of the Thoroughbred horse breeding and racing farm, Haras d'Ouilly in Pont-d'Ouilly. He was a grandson of the painter Jules ...

– ''Texana (1957), Fortino (1962), Texanita (1963, 1964)'' *

Robert Sangster Robert Edmund Sangster (23 May 1936 – 7 April 2004) Towards the end of his life he spent much of his time in Barbados and Australia. Death Sangster died of pancreatic cancer in London, on 7 April 2004, aged 67. British Classic Race wins * 1, ...

– ''Committed (1984), Double Schwartz (1986), Handsome Sailor (1988), Carmine Lake (1997)''

Winners since 1972

Earlier winners

* 1957: Texana * 1958: Edellic * 1959: Sly Pola * 1960: High Bulk * 1961: L'Epinay * 1962: Fortino * 1963: Texanita * 1964: Texanita * 1965: Silver Shark * 1966: Farhana * 1967: Pentathlon * 1968: Be Friendly * 1969: Tower Walk * 1970: Balidar * 1971: Sweet Revenge

References

* France Galop /

Racing Post ''Racing Post'' is a British daily horse racing, greyhound racing, and sports betting publisher published in print and digital formats. It is printed in tabloid format from Monday to Sunday. , it has an average daily circulation of 60,629 ...

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External links

* Race Recordings (1980, 1985-2006
youtube.com
* galop.courses-france.com: *
1957–19791980–present

– ''A Brief History: Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp.''
galopp-sieger.de
– ''Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp.''
horseracingintfed.com
– ''International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp (2018).''
pedigreequery.com
– ''Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp – Longchamp.'' ;Specific {{DEFAULTSORT:Prix Abbaye Longchamp Open sprint category horse races Longchamp Racecourse Horse races in France Horse races established in 1957 1957 establishments in France

History

Records

Winners since 1972

Earlier winners

See also

References

External links