Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris

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 6,000 metres, 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 National, 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 three most successful horses in the race's history are Hyeres III, Katko and Mid Dancer, who have all recorded three victories. A further seven 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.

Records

Leading jockey (5 wins):

• Jean Daumas – Xanthor (1959), Cousin Pons (1961), Hyeres III (1964, 1965, 1966)

Leading trainer (6 wins):

• Bernard Sécly – 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

¹ Double Car finished first in 2002, but he was subsequently disqualified after testing positive for a banned substance.

Earlier winners

References

• Racing Post:
  • "1983". , "1984". , "1985". , "1986". , "1987". ,"1988". , "1989". , "1990". , "1991". , "1992". 
  • "1993". , "1994". , "1995". , "1996". , "1997". , "1998". , "1999". , "2000". , "2001". , "2002". 
  • "2003". , "2004". , "2005". , "2006". , "2007". , "2008". , "2009". , "2010". , "2011". , "2012". 
  • "2013". , "2014". , "2015". , "2016". 
• galop.courses-france.com:
  • 1874–1889, 1890–1919, 1920–1949, 1950–1979, 1980–present

• france-galop.com – A Brief History: Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris.
• pedigreequery.com – Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris – Auteuil.
• tbheritage.com – Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris.

See also

• List of French jump horse races
• Recurring events established in 1874 – this race is included under its original title, Grand National de France.