Prix Daniel Wildenstein

The Prix Daniel Wildenstein is a Group 2 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 1,600 metres (about 1 mile), and it is scheduled to take place each year in late September or early October.

History

The event was established in 1882, and it was originally called the Prix du Rond Point. It was initially run over 2,200 metres, and was cut to 2,000 metres in 1891. It was extended to 2,100 metres in 1903, and reverted to 2,000 metres in 1909.

The race was abandoned throughout World War I, with no running from 1914 to 1919. It was shortened to 1,600 metres in 1921, and increased to 1,700 metres in 1922.

The Prix du Rond Point was cancelled twice during World War II, in 1939 and 1940. It was held at Maisons-Laffitte in 1943, and Le Tremblay in 1944.

The distance was cut to 1,600 metres in 1953, and it returned to 1,700 metres in 1958. It was set at 1,400 metres in 1959, and restored to 1,600 metres in 1969.

The present system of race grading was introduced in 1971, and the Prix du Rond Point was classed at Group 3 level. For a period it took place in early September, and it was switched to late September in 1980.

The event was added to the two-day Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe meeting in 1987. For several years it was staged on the same day as the Arc, the first Sunday in October. It was promoted to Group 2 status in 1990, and moved to the Saturday of the meeting in 2001.

The race was renamed in memory of Daniel Wildenstein (1917–2001), a leading racehorse owner and breeder, in 2002.

Records

Most successful horse (2 wins):

• Cameleon – 1889, 1890
• Le Meridional – 1955, 1957
• Special Kaldoun – 2003, 2005
• Spirito del Vento – 2007, 2008

Leading jockey (5 wins):

• Yves Saint-Martin – Embellie (1965), Rockcress (1969), Prince Jet (1970), Faraway Son (1971), Monsanto (1976)
• Frankie Dettori – Decorated Hero (1997), Fly to the Stars (1998), Kabool (2000), China Visit (2001), Echo of Light (2006)
• Olivier Peslier - Spirito del Vento (2007, 2008), Royal Bench (2010), Solow (2014), Impassable (2015)

Leading trainer (4 wins):

• Richard Count – Champosoult (1894), Estragon (1896), Capo d'Istria (1897), Gorenflot (1898)
• Saeed bin Suroor – Fly to the Stars (1998), Kabool (2000), China Visit (2001), Echo of Light (2006)

Leading owner (4 wins):

• Emile Deschamps – Champosoult (1894), Estragon (1896), Gorenflot (1898), Vangoyen (1913)
• Godolphin – Fly to the Stars (1998), Kabool (2000), China Visit (2001), Echo of Light (2006)

Winners since 1978

^a The 2016 race took place at Chantilly while Longchamp was closed for redevelopment.

Earlier winners

* The 1886 race was a dead-heat and has joint winners.

See also

• List of French flat horse races
• Recurring sporting events established in 1882 – this race is included under its original title, Prix du Rond Point.

References

• France Galop / Racing Post:
  • "1979". , "1980". , "1981". , "1982". , "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:
  • 1882–1889, 1890–1919, 1920–1949, 1950–1979, 1980–present

• france-galop.com – A Brief History: Prix Daniel Wildenstein.
• galopp-sieger.de – Prix Daniel Wildenstein (ex Prix du Rond Point).
• horseracingintfed.com – International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – Prix Daniel Wildenstein (2016).
• pedigreequery.com – Prix Daniel Wildenstein – Longchamp.