ParisLongchamp

Along with New York and London, Paris has earned another, more unwelcome renown of late but on the day that most of the rest of France emerge from their doors closed shut by COVID-19, the Bois de Boulogne bears witness to the first major sporting action since mid-March. Such is the tightrope nature of the industry's predicament at present, it was enough to convince President Macron at the 11th hour to allow racing to take place within the "red zone" which is still under strict lockdown. ParisLongchamp has seen its...

When Victor Ludorum (GB) (Shamardal) steps out for Monday's keenly anticipated G3 Prix de Fontainebleau at ParisLongchamp, he will do so with the kind of notability that comes as standard for winners of the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. France's pre-eminent track's juvenile showcase, previously known as the Grand Criterium, has long proved magnetic to the elite and acts as a significant early exposé of prominent future sires. Back in 1933, Edouard de Rothschild, the grandfather of the current France Galop President of the same name, was represented by his beloved...

French racing will return behind closed doors on Monday after being off since Mar. 16 due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, and the initial three cards at ParisLongchamp, Toulouse and Compiegne have drawn a whopping 1,069 entries. ParisLongchamp, which received clearance on Monday to stage its meeting in the nation's capital, has drawn a total of 257 entries across 10 races. The card's feature races are the G2 Prix d'Harcourt and Group 3 Prix la Grotte, Prix de Fontainebleau and G3 Prix de Saint-Georges. Last year's G1 Prix du Jockey Club...

With the resumption of French racing planned for Monday, May 11, France Galop has released a revised racing programme for the period of May 11 to 31. All meetings will take place behind closed doors and under strict sanitary measures as previously trialed in the country before racing was suspended. There will be 14% more races at the Parisian courses of ParisLongchamp, Chantilly and Saint-Cloud than originally scheduled during that time period, to include an extra 22 races for 3-year-olds and 24 for older horses. The number of races rescheduled...