Prix La Rochette
The Prix La Rochette is a Group 3 flat horse race in France open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 1,400 metres (about 7 furlongs), and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.
| Group 3 race | |
| Location | Longchamp Racecourse Paris, France |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1882 |
| Race type | Flat / Thoroughbred |
| Website | france-galop.com |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1,400 metres (7f) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Right-handed |
| Qualification | Two-year-olds excluding Group 1 winners |
| Weight | 56 kg Allowances 1½ kg for fillies Penalties 2 kg for Group 2 winners 2 kg if two Group 3 wins 1 kg if one Group 3 win |
| Purse | €56,000 (2020) 1st: €28,000 |
History
The event was originally part of a series called the Prix Triennal. The first leg, the precursor of the modern version, was introduced in 1882. The second, for three-year-olds, began in 1883, and the third, for four-year-olds, in 1884. Each was restricted to horses owned by the breeder who foaled them. The races were initially held at Fontainebleau, and the juvenile division was contested over 1,100 metres.
The Prix Triennal was renamed in memory of Charles de La Rochette (1820–1889), a long-serving steward of the Société d'Encouragement, in 1889. It moved to Longchamp in 1892, and the two-year-old leg was cut to 1,000 metres. It reverted to 1,100 metres in 1893.
The series switched to Chantilly in 1906, and from this point the two and three-year-old parts were split into separate divisions for colts and fillies. They were abandoned during World War I, but substitutes were held at Maisons-Laffitte in 1918. The series returned to Longchamp in 1919, and to Chantilly in 1920. It was staged at Deauville in 1922, and on this occasion the juvenile legs were run over 1,000 metres. It resumed at Chantilly in 1923, and the split-race format continued until 1929.
The Prix La Rochette was cancelled three times during World War II, in 1939, 1940 and 1944. It was transferred to Longchamp with a new distance of 1,000 metres in 1941, and temporarily switched to Le Tremblay in 1943. In the post-war years it was usually held at Longchamp, but there were short periods at Chantilly (1947, 1,100 metres), Deauville (1955) and Chantilly again (1957–1959).
The distance of the race was progressively increased during the late 1960s. There were brief spells at 1,300 metres (1966–67), 1,400 metres (1968) and 1,500 metres (1969), before a sustained period over 1,600 metres began in 1970.
The Prix La Rochette was restricted to male horses from 1995 to 1999, and it was run at Chantilly from 1997 to 2000. It returned to Longchamp with a length of 1,400 metres in 2001.
Records
Leading jockey (8 wins):
- George Stern – Farnus (1901), Val d'Or (1904), Sidia (1906), Azalee (1908), Dagor (1912), Marka (1912), Mousse de Mer (1913), Banstar (1925)
Leading trainer (10 wins):
- Robert Denman – Farnus (1901), Gouvernant (1903), Val d'Or (1904), Sidia (1906), Azalee (1908), Dagor (1912), Marka (1912), Mousse de Mer (1913), Banstar (1925), Esclarmonde (1926)
- François Boutin – Neptunium (1971), Banjer (1973), Le Marmot (1978), Un Reitre (1979), Vorias (1980), Persepolis (1981), L'Emigrant (1982), Pasakos (1987), Linamix (1989), Indian Jones (1994)
Leading owner (10 wins):
- Edmond Blanc – Marly (1892), Lucie (1899), Farnus (1901), Gouvernant (1903), Val d'Or (1904), Sidia (1906), Azalee (1908), Dagor (1912), Marka (1912), Mousse de Mer (1913)
Winners since 1979
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Un Reitre | Philippe Paquet | François Boutin | Stavros Niarchos | |
| 1980 | Vorias | Philippe Paquet | François Boutin | Peter Goulandris | |
| 1981 | Persepolis | Philippe Paquet | François Boutin | Stavros Niarchos | |
| 1982 | L'Emigrant | Lester Piggott | François Boutin | Stavros Niarchos | 1:40.80 |
| 1983 | Cariellor | Yves Saint-Martin | André Fabre | Suzy Volterra | |
| 1984 | No Pass No Sale | Alfred Gibert | Robert Collet | René Aubert | 1:48.70 |
| 1985 | Kadrou | Alfred Gibert | Jean Laumain | Henri Rabatel | |
| 1986 | Grand Chelem | Yves Saint-Martin | Robert Collet | Richard Strauss | |
| 1987 | Pasakos | Freddy Head | François Boutin | Niccolò Incisa Rocchetta | |
| 1988 | Local Talent | Cash Asmussen | André Fabre | Sheikh Mohammed | 1:43.20 |
| 1989 | Linamix | Gérald Mossé | François Boutin | Jean-Luc Lagardère | 1:41.20 |
| 1990 | Beau Sultan | Freddy Head | Criquette Head | Ghislaine Head | 1:39.30 |
| 1991 | Steinbeck [a] | Steve Cauthen | André Fabre | Sheikh Mohammed | 1:38.90 |
| 1992 | Kadounor | Guy Guignard | Jean Laumain | Henri Rabatel | 1:45.10 |
| 1993 | Chimes Band | Dominique Boeuf | Pascal Bary | Ecurie I. M. Fares | 1:48.90 |
| 1994 | Indian Jones | Cash Asmussen | François Boutin | Edouard de Rothschild | 1:45.70 |
| 1995 | Le Triton | Walter Swinburn | Criquette Head | Maktoum Al Maktoum | 1:46.40 |
| 1996 | Fine Fellow | Freddy Head | Criquette Head | Maktoum Al Maktoum | 1:48.80 |
| 1997 | Pinmix | Alain Junk | André Fabre | Jean-Luc Lagardère | 1:38.80 |
| 1998 | Slickly | Olivier Peslier | André Fabre | Jean-Luc Lagardère | 1:40.10 |
| 1999 | Ocean of Wisdom | Cash Asmussen | Pascal Bary | Niarchos Family | 1:48.50 |
| 2000 | Okawango | Olivier Doleuze | Criquette Head | Wertheimer et Frère | 1:41.45 |
| 2001 | Guys and Dolls | Christophe Soumillon | Paul Cole | Anthony Speelman | 1:21.10 |
| 2002 | Le Vie dei Colori | Thierry Thulliez | Roberto Brogi | Scuderia Archi Romani | 1:21.10 |
| 2003 | Diamond Green | Christophe Soumillon | André Fabre | Lagardère Family | 1:22.50 |
| 2004 | Early March | Olivier Peslier | Criquette Head-Maarek | Khalid Abdullah | 1:22.20 |
| 2005 | Multiplex [b] | Christophe Soumillon | André Fabre | Khalid Abdullah | 1:23.80 |
| 2006 | Visionario | Christophe Soumillon | André Fabre | HH Aga Khan IV | 1:23.80 |
| 2007 | Young Pretender | Frankie Dettori | John Gosden | Princess Haya of Jordan | 1:21.90 |
| 2008 | Soul City | Richard Hughes | Richard Hannon Sr. | Patrick Fahey | 1:22.70 |
| 2009 | Buzzword | Ahmed Ajtebi | Saeed bin Suroor | Godolphin | 1:22.83 |
| 2010 | My Name Is Bond | Christophe Soumillon | Jean-Claude Rouget | Daniel-Yves Trèves | 1:20.50 |
| 2011 | Sofast | Olivier Peslier | Freddy Head | Wertheimer et Frère | 1:25.24 |
| 2012 | What a Name | Christophe Lemaire | Mikel Delzangles | Mohammed Al Thani | 1:22.07 |
| 2013 | Karakontie | Olivier Peslier | Jonathan Pease | Niarchos Family | 1:22.45 |
| 2014 | Full Mast | Thierry Thulliez | Criquette Head-Maarek | Khalid Abdullah | 1:25.38 |
| 2015 | Attendu | Maxime Guyon | Carlos Laffon-Parias | Wertheimer et Frère | 1:22.74 |
| 2016 | Kontrastat[c] | Theo Bachelot | Stephane Wattel | Plainfosse / Palos de Moguer | 1:25.35 |
| 2017 | Glorious Journey[c] | James Doyle | Charlie Appleby | HH Sheikha Al Jalila Racing | 1:26.42 |
| 2018 | The Black Album | Mickael Barzalona | Jane Soubagne | Didier Bouquil | 1:24.86 |
| 2019 | Kenway | Theo Bachelot | Frederic Rossi | Le Haras De La Gousserie | 1:20.35 |
| 2020 | Go Athletico | Aurelien Lemaitre | Philippe Decouz | Tanguy Moreux, Sas Racing et al | 1:21.83 |
a Rainbow Corner finished first in 1991, but he was relegated to second place following a stewards' inquiry.
b Yasoodd was first in 2005, but he was placed fourth after a stewards' inquiry.
c The 2016 & 2017 races were run at Saint-Cloud while Longchamp was closed for redevelopment.
Earlier winners
1882–1905
- 1882: Satory
- 1883: Yvrande
- 1884: Barberine
- 1885: Jupin
- 1886: Arlay
- 1887: Stuart
- 1888: Criniere
- 1889:
- 1890: Clairon
- 1891: Chene Royal
- 1892: Marly
- 1893: Dolma Baghtche
- 1894: Montlhery
- 1895: Brunehilde
- 1896: Roxelane
- 1897: Madagascar
- 1898: Franco-Russe
- 1899: Lucie
- 1900: Eryx
- 1901: Farnus
- 1902: Reine Margot
- 1903: Gouvernant
- 1904: Val d'Or
- 1905: Sly Fox
1906–1929 (colts' division)
- 1906: Calomel
- 1907: Schuyler
- 1908: Hag to Hag
- 1909: Ulm
- 1910: Manfred
- 1911: Petulance
- 1912: Dagor
- 1913: La Farina
- 1914–17: no race
- 1918: Observateur
- 1919: Odol
- 1920: Arbre Sec
- 1921: Sombrero
- 1922: Sao Paulo
- 1923: Scaramouche
- 1924: Lezignan
- 1925: Banstar
- 1926: Andorra
- 1927: Seymour
- 1928: Rosolio
- 1929: Pearlash
1906–1929 (fillies' division)
- 1906: Sidia
- 1907: Scabieuse
- 1908: Azalee
- 1909: Urgulosa
- 1910: Brume
- 1911: Qu'elle Est Belle
- 1912: Marka
- 1913: Mousse de Mer
- 1914–17: no race
- 1918: Stearine
- 1919: La Chiffa
- 1920: Farthing
- 1921: Hyperite
- 1922: Pomare
- 1923: Carnation
- 1924: Canalette
- 1925: Solette
- 1926: Esclarmonde
- 1927: Roahouga
- 1928: Necklace
- 1929: Swiss Miss
1930–1978
- 1930: Pearl Cap
- 1931: La Bourrasque
- 1932: Negundo
- 1933: Cingalaise
- 1934: Aromate
- 1935: Mistress Ford
- 1936: Catherinette
- 1937: Shrew
- 1938: Canzoni
- 1939–40: no race
- 1941: Esmeralda
- 1942: Caravelle / Dogat *
- 1943: Le Volcan
- 1944: no race
- 1945: Tourmente
- 1946: Djelal
- 1947: Balle Negre
- 1948: Musette
- 1949: Janus
- 1950: La Taglioni
- 1951: Luzon
- 1952: Cobalt
- 1953: Ferriol
- 1954: Tactic
- 1955: Belle Epoque
- 1956: Franc Luron
- 1957: Nubile
- 1958: Iadwiga
- 1959: Hautain
- 1960: Cocomel
- 1961: La Sega
- 1962: Wideawake
- 1963: Takawalk
- 1964: Shamirah
- 1965: Silver Shark
- 1966: Monatrea
- 1967: Vent du Nord
- 1968: Mia Pola
- 1969:
- 1970: Dictus
- 1971: Neptunium
- 1972: Satingo
- 1973: Banjer
- 1974: Dandy Lute
- 1975: Monsieur Dian
- 1976: Command Freddy
- 1977: River Knight
- 1978: Le Marmot
* The 1942 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 Triennal.
References
- France Galop / Racing Post:
- france-galop.com – A Brief History: Prix La Rochette.
- galopp-sieger.de – Prix La Rochette (ex Prix Triennal).
- horseracingintfed.com – International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – Prix La Rochette (2016).