Prix Saintour

Prix Saintour is a prestigious Group 2 horse race held in France, run over a distance of 2,000 meters at the Longchamp Racecourse in Paris. The race is open to thoroughbred horses aged three years or older and is considered one of the most important races in the French racing calendar, alongside the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the Prix du Jockey Club. The Prix Saintour is often seen as a key trial for the Breeders' Cup Turf and the Hong Kong Cup, with many winners going on to compete in these international events, including Royal Ascot and the Dubai World Cup. The race has a long history, dating back to the early 20th century, and has been won by some of the most famous horses in French racing history, including Helissio, Sagamix, and Val Royal, who also won the Prix de la Forêt and the Prix d'Ispahan.

● Introduction

The Prix Saintour is a highly respected horse race that attracts a high-quality field of horses from across Europe and beyond, including Ireland, United Kingdom, and Germany. The race is run on the same day as the Prix de la Forêt and the Prix de l'Opéra, making it a key part of the French racing calendar, which also includes the Prix du Cadran and the Prix Royal-Oak. The Prix Saintour is often seen as a key target for trainers such as André Fabre, John Gosden, and Aidan O'Brien, who have all won the race with horses like Peintre Celebre, Singspiel, and High Chaparral, who also won the Derby, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and the Breeders' Cup Classic. The race has also been won by jockeys such as Thierry Jarnet, Olivier Peslier, and Christophe Soumillon, who have all ridden winners of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the Grand Prix de Paris.

● History

The Prix Saintour was first run in 1919 and was originally called the Prix du Rond Point, after the famous Paris landmark, the Rond-point des Champs-Élysées. The race was renamed the Prix Saintour in 1921, in honor of the Saintour family, who were prominent breeders and owners in French racing, and have been involved in the sport for many years, alongside other notable families such as the Rothschild family and the Wertheimer family. The race has been run at Longchamp Racecourse since its inception, except for a period during World War II, when it was run at the Maisons-Laffitte track, which also hosts the Prix Robert Papin and the Prix de Ris-Orangis. The Prix Saintour has been won by some of the most famous horses in French racing history, including Tantieme, who also won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the Grand Prix de Paris, and Exbury, who won the Prix du Jockey Club and the Prix Royal-Oak.

● Winners

The Prix Saintour has been won by a wide range of horses over the years, including sprinters like Anabaa and Marchand d'Or, who also won the Prix de l'Abbaye and the Prix Maurice de Gheest, and stayers like Helissio and Sagamix, who also won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. The race has also been won by fillies like Six Perfections and Mandesha, who also won the Prix de la Forêt and the Prix d'Ispahan, and mares like Dahlia and Helen Street, who also won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the Grand Prix de Paris. The Prix Saintour has been won by trainers from across Europe, including France, Ireland, United Kingdom, and Germany, and has been ridden by some of the most famous jockeys in the world, including Lester Piggott, Pat Eddery, and Frankie Dettori, who have all won the Derby and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

● Race Details

The Prix Saintour is run over a distance of 2,000 meters at the Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, and is open to thoroughbred horses aged three years or older. The race is a Group 2 event, and is considered one of the most important races in the French racing calendar, alongside the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the Prix du Jockey Club. The Prix Saintour is often run at a fast pace, with the horses racing in a tight pack, and is typically won by a horse that can quicken well in the final furlong, like Peintre Celebre and Singspiel, who also won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the Breeders' Cup Turf. The race is usually run in late September or early October, and is part of a key weekend of racing in France, which also includes the Prix de la Forêt and the Prix de l'Opéra.

● Impact and Legacy

The Prix Saintour has had a significant impact on the world of horse racing, with many winners going on to compete in major international events, including the Breeders' Cup Turf and the Hong Kong Cup. The race has also been a key trial for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, with many winners of the Prix Saintour going on to win the Arc, including Helissio and Sagamix, who also won the Grand Prix de Paris and the Prix Royal-Oak. The Prix Saintour has been won by some of the most famous horses in French racing history, and is considered one of the most prestigious horse races in Europe, alongside the Derby and the Grand Prix de Paris. The race is also an important part of the French racing calendar, and is often attended by royalty and other dignitaries, including the President of France and the Queen Elizabeth II, who have both attended the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the Royal Ascot.