The Prix de l'Opéra 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 ...
fillies and
mare
A mare is an adult female horse or other equidae, equine. In most cases, a mare is a female horse over the age of three, and a filly is a female horse three and younger. In Thoroughbred horse racing, a mare is defined as a female horse more th ...
s aged three years or older. It is run at
Longchamp over a distance of 2,000 metres (about 1¼ miles) each year in early October.
History
The event was established in 1974, and it was initially classed at Group 2 level. It was originally restricted to three and four-year-old fillies and contested over 1,850 metres.
The race was opened to older mares in 1990. It was extended to 2,000 metres and promoted to Group 1 status in 2000.
The Prix de l'Opéra was added to the
Breeders' Cup Challenge series in 2011. The winner now earns an automatic invitation to compete in the same year's
Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.
The race is held on the first Sunday in October, the same day as 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 ...
.
Records
Most successful horse (2 wins):
* Athyka – ''1988, 1989''
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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 ...
(3 wins):
*
Yves Saint-Martin – ''Sea Sands (1975), Waya (1977), Kilmona (1981)''
*
Walter Swinburn
Walter Robert John Swinburn (7 August 1961 – 12 December 2016) was a flat racing jockey and trainer who competed in Great Britain and internationally.
Biography
Swinburn was born in Oxford. He was the son of Wally Swinburn, who won t ...
– ''Royal Heroine (1983), Bella Colora (1985), Hatoof (1992)''
*
Cash Asmussen
Cash Asmussen (born March 15, 1962, in Agar, South Dakota, Agar, South Dakota) is an American thoroughbred horse racing jockey. Born Brian Keith Asmussen, in 1977 he legally changed his name to "Cash".
From a Texas horse racing family, his paren ...
– ''Secret Form (1986), Colour Chart (1990), Insight (1998)''
*
Christophe Soumillon – ''Terre a Terre (2001), Mandesha (2006), Dalkala (2013)''
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Leading
trainer (5 wins):
*
Criquette Head-Maarek
Christiane "Criquette" Head (born 6 November 1948 at Marly-le-Roi, near Maisons-Laffitte, France) is a retired French racehorse trainer. Known as Criquette, she was born into the Thoroughbred horse racing business. Her great grandfather was a j ...
– ''Reine Mathilde (1984), Mona Stella (1987), Athyka (1988, 1989), Hatoof (1992)''
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Leading owner (4 wins):
*
HH Aga Khan IV – ''Timarida (1995), Shalanaya (2009), Ridasiyna (2012), Dalkala (2013)''
Winners
See also
*
List of French flat horse races
References
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*
France Galop (1979–1989) /
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 ...
(1990–present) :
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* galop.courses-france.com:
*
1974–19791980–19992000–2009
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Prix Opera
Middle distance horse races for fillies and mares
Longchamp Racecourse
Horse races in France
Breeders' Cup Challenge series
Horse races established in 1974
1974 establishments in France