Thoroughbred horse racing is a popular sport in France, with a long and rich history. The first recorded horse race in France took place in 1650, and the first organized racing meeting was held in 1670.
Thoroughbred horse racing in France is governed by France Galop, a non-profit organization that is responsible for the organization and promotion of the sport. France Galop oversees a network of 115 racecourses across the country, and organizes a variety of races, including Group 1 races, which are the most prestigious races in France.
Some of the most famous thoroughbred horse races in France include:
- Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe: This race is considered to be the most prestigious horse race in France, and is often referred to as the "French Derby." The race is held annually at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, and is open to thoroughbred horses aged three and older.
- Prix du Jockey Club: This race is the French equivalent of the British Derby, and is held annually at Chantilly Racecourse. The race is open to thoroughbred horses aged three, and is often seen as a stepping stone to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
- Prix de Diane Longines: This race is the French equivalent of the British Oaks, and is held annually at Chantilly Racecourse. The race is open to thoroughbred fillies aged three, and is often seen as a stepping stone to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
- Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris: This race is the most prestigious steeplechase race in France, and is held annually at Auteuil Racecourse in Paris. The race is open to thoroughbred horses aged four and older, and is over a distance of about 5,800 meters.
Thoroughbred horse racing is a popular spectator sport in France, and attracts large crowds to the racecourses. The sport is also a major economic driver, with the horse racing industry contributing billions of euros to the French economy each year.
If you are interested in learning more about thoroughbred horse racing in France, there are many resources available online and in libraries. You can also visit one of the many racecourses in France to see the sport for yourself.
Horse Racing - Thoroughbred - France
France - Alsace
France - Aquitaine
- Hippodrome de Cantereaux, Libourne
- Hippodrome de Laloubère, Tarbes
- Hippodrome de Pesquie-Bas, Villeréal
- Hippodrome de Pont-Long, Pau
- Hippodrome de Saint-Paul-les-Dax, Dax
- Hippodrome de Sangruère, Villeneuve-sur-Lot
- Hippodrome de Sarlande, Castillonnès
- Hippodrome des Grands Pins, Mont-de-Marsan
- Hippodrome du Béquet, La Teste de Buch
- Hippodrome du Haut-Rillon, La Rochelle
France - Auvergne
- Hippodrome de Bellerive, Vichy
- Hippodrome des gateaux, Moulins
- Hippodrome Georges du Breil, Aurillac
- Hippodrome Saint-Jean, Montluçon
France - Brittany
- Hippodrome de Cano, Vannes
- Hippodrome de Kernivinen, Pontivy
- Hippodrome de Kerret, Guerlesquin
- Hippodrome de la Baie du Kernic, Plouescat
- Hippodrome de la Baie, Saint-Brieuc
- Hippodrome de la Rive, Redon
- Hippodrome de Langolvas, Morlaix
- Hippodrome de Marville, Saint-Malo
- Hippodrome des Bruyères, Maure-de-Bretagne
- Hippodrome du Bel Orme, Guingamp
- Hippodrome du Petit Paris, Corlay
- Hippodrome du Resto, Questembert
France - Burgundy
- Hippodrome de Cluny, Mâcon
- Hippodrome de la Varenne, Paray-le-Monial
- Hippodrome de Marcilly, Vitteaux
France - Centre
- Hippodrome de Grigny, Chinon
- Hippodrome de l'Île Arrault, Orléans
- Hippodrome de Tours-Chambray, Tours
- Hippodrome du Petit-Valençay, Châteauroux
France - Champagne-Ardenne
France - Corsica
France - Île-de-France
- Hippodrome d'Auteuil, Paris
- Hippodrome d'Enghien-Soisy, Enghien-les-Bains
- Hippodrome de Fontainebleau, Fontainebleau
- Hippodrome de Grosbois, Boissy-Saint-Léger (banlieue of Paris), for the qualification of trotters in a training centre
- Hippodrome de Longchamp, Paris
- Hippodrome de Saint-Cloud, Saint-Cloud (banlieue of Paris)
France - Languedoc-Roussillon
France - Limousin
- Hippodrome de La Sagne, Le Dorat
- Hippodrome de Pompadour, Arnac-Pompadour
- Hippodrome de Texonnieras, Limoges
France - Lorraine
France - Lower Normandy
- Hippodrome de Deauville-La Touques, Deauville
- Hippodrome de la Bergerie, Le Pin-au-Haras
- Hippodrome du Perche, Mortagne-au-Perche
France - Martinique
France - Midi-Pyrénées
- Hippodrome de Borde-Vieille, Beaumont-de-Lomagne
- Hippodrome de la Cépière, Toulouse
- Hippodrome de la Ribère, Auch
- Hippodrome de Laloubère, Tarbes
- Hippodrome de Marches, Castelsarrasin
- Hippodrome des Allègres, Montauban
- Hippodrome du Baron, Castéra-Verduzan
- Hippodrome du Tumulus, Gramat
France - Nord-Pas-de-Calais
- Hippodrome de la Canche, Le Touquet
- Hippodrome des Flandres (also known as Hippodrome du Croisé-Laroche), Marcq-en-Barœul (banlieue of Lille)
France - Pays de Loire
- Hippodrome d'Éventard, Angers
- Hippodrome de Fontenailles, Écommoy
- Hippodrome de l'Atlantique, Saint-Jean-de-Monts
- Hippodrome de l'Isle-Briand, Le Lion-d'Angers
- Hippodrome de La Carrière, Durtal
- Hippodrome de la Loire, Segré
- Hippodrome de la Métairie neuve, Châteaubriant
- Hippodrome de La Prairie du Château, Sablé-sur-Sarthe
- Hippodrome de Pornichet, Pornichet
- Hippodrome de Portillon, Vertou
- Hippodrome de Verrie, Saumur
- Hippodrome des Chaumes, Machecoul
- Hippodrome des Hunaudières, Le Mans
- Hippodrome des Senonnettes, Senonnes-Pouancé
- Hippodrome du Petit Port, Nantes
France - Picardy
- Hippodrome de Chantilly, Chantilly (banlieue of Paris)
- Hippodrome de la Prairie Malicorne, Merlimont
- Hippodrome du Putois, Compiègne
France - Poitou-Charentes
- Hippodrome de la Côte de Beauté, Royan
- Hippodrome de la Gatinière, La Roche-Posay
- Hippodrome de la Tourette, Angoulême
- Hippodrome de Mansle, Mansle
- Hippodrome de Romagne, Niort
France - Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Hippodrome de la Côte d'Azur, Cagnes-sur-Mer
- Hippodrome de la Crau, Salon-de-Provence
- Hippodrome de la Durance, Cavaillon
- Hippodrome de la plage, Hyères
- Hippodrome Marseille Borély, Marseille
- Hippodrome Marseille Vivaux, Marseille
France - Rhône-Alpes
- Hippodrome André Longchamp, Divonne-les-Bains
- Hippodrome de Bel Air, Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne
- Hippodrome de Marlioz, Aix-les-Bains
- Hippodrome de Parilly, Bron (banlieue of Lyon)
- Hippodrome de Villeurbanne, Vaulx-en-Velin (banlieue of Lyon)
- Hippodrome Joseph Desjoyaux, Saint-Galmier