Prix Kergorlay

Prix Kergorlay

Group 2 race
Shafaraz, oil on canvas Painting by Bob Demuyser (1920-2003)
Location	Deauville Racecourse Deauville, France
Inaugurated	1864
Race type	Flat / Thoroughbred
Sponsor	Darley
Website	france-galop.com
Race information
Distance	3,000 metres (1⅞ miles)[1]
Surface	Turf
Track	Right-handed
Qualification	Three-years-old and up[1]
Weight	54 kg (3yo); 59 kg (4yo+) Allowances 1½ kg for fillies and mares Penalties 2 kg for Group 1 winners * 1 kg for Group 2 winners * * since 1 October last year[1]
Purse	€130,000 (2018) 1st: €74,100[1]

The Prix Kergorlay is a Group 2 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Deauville over a distance of 3,000 metres (about 1⅞ miles), and it is scheduled to take place each year in August.

History

The event was established in 1864, and it was originally called the Prix de la Société d'Encouragement. It was named after the Société d'Encouragement, a governing body of horse racing in France. The inaugural running was part of Deauville's first ever race meeting, and the prize money for the winning owner was 5,100 francs. In its early years the event was contested over 3,000 metres. It was cancelled because of the Franco-Prussian War in 1871.

The race became known as the Prix de Longchamps in 1875. It was cut to 2,800 metres in 1889, and to 2,600 metres in 1896. It was extended to 3,400 metres in 1907.

It was renamed in memory of Florian de Kergorlay (died October 1910), a former chairman of the Société des Courses de Deauville, in 1911. The Prix Florian de Kergorlay was abandoned throughout World War I, and it returned with a distance of 3,000 metres in 1919.

The title of the race was shortened to the Prix Kergorlay in 1929. It was cancelled twice during World War II, in 1940 and 1941. The event's usual venue was closed during this period, so it was staged temporarily at Le Tremblay (1942–43) and Longchamp (1944–45).

Records

Most successful horse (2 wins):

• Fourire – 1899, 1900
• Sea Sick – 1909, 1910
• La Francaise – 1911, 1912
• Ardan – 1945, 1946
• Celadon – 1963, 1965

Leading jockey (4 wins):

• Arthur Watkins – Vertugadin (1866), Ruy Blas (1867), Dutch Tar (1868), L'Aspirant (1870)
• George Stern – Saxon (1901), Genial (1905), Sauge Pourpree (1908), Grillemont (1923)
• Jacques Doyasbère – Marsyas (1944), Ardan (1945, 1946), Lavarede (1951)
• Maurice Philipperon – Waylay (1966), Homeric (1972), Valuta (1973), Tipperary Fixer (1981)
• Cash Asmussen – King Luthier (1986), Top Sunrise (1989), Turgeon (1991), Sought Out (1992)

Leading trainer (9 wins):

• Henry Jennings – Ruy Blas (1867), Dutch Tar (1868), L'Aspirant (1870), Revigny (1873), Montargis (1874), Basquine (1876), Giboulee (1877), Mourle (1879), Arbitre (1880)

Leading owner (6 wins):

• Alexandre Aumont – Revigny (1873), Basquine (1876), Mademoiselle de Senlis (1883), Siberie (1888), Nativa (1890), Floreal (1891)

Winners since 1980

^a Further Flight finished first in 1991, but he was relegated to second place following a stewards' inquiry.

Earlier winners

* The 1885 race was a dead-heat and has joint winners.

See also

• List of French flat horse races
• Recurring sporting events established in 1864 – this race is included under its original title, Prix de la Société d'Encouragement.

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, 2017, 2018
• galop.courses-france.com:
  • 1864–1889, 1890–1919, 1920–1949, 1950–1979, 1980–present

• france-galop.com – A Brief History: Prix Kergorlay.
• galopp-sieger.de – Prix Kergorlay (ex Prix de Longchamps).
• horseracingintfed.com – International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – Prix Kergorlay (2018).
• pedigreequery.com – Prix Kergorlay – Deauville.