The French Derby (known as Prix du Jocket Club)
According to the French Racing and Breeding Committee website, “France is where horse racing makes sense.” For bettors and horse racing fans alike, this is especially true in regards to the one of the two French Classic Races – the French Derby. Also known as the Prix du Jocket Club, it is held each June at the Chantilly Racecourse. If you love the pari-mutuel betting scheme, stay tuned. There is more than meets the eye concerning the history behind the French Derby and interest in this race has subsequently transformed the betting world into the modern era.
History of horse racing in France
Early in the 1810s, France had Thoroughbreds imported from England where the mixed breed originated. Sadly, it would take at least 20 years before the horse racing aspect became a regular form of French entertainment. Regardless of the slow interest by the French people, the French Jockey Club opened its doors in 1833, and the French Government controlled France’s Thoroughbred studbook. Chantilly Racecourse opened in 1834, and the first French Derby was run in 1836.
Despite this impressive move toward Thoroughbred racing, most French horses in the 1870s were winning most of their races in England. The French Derby endured despite the lack of interest, and this was only interrupted during World War 1. The French Derby and Chantilly Racecourse have many fascinating stories, but the races needed more betting, in order to stay strong.
Betting in France influences worldwide change
Most bettors are aware that the horse racing wagers before the 1900s were controlled by the mafia and bad bookies. The significant change that occurred that brought in a modern U.S. scheme of betting (using third parties to control the betting pool) was an American visiting France. There, the French called their new method ‘pari-mutuel.’ The American that adopted this idea was the originator of Churchill Downs named Meriwether Lewis Clark. He ran the first Kentucky Derby on this system in 1876.
The betting method Clark used was originally started by perfume shop owner in France in 1860s. The story behind it is that Pierre Oller sold tickets for horse races and divided the betting pool among the winners. The term pari-mutuel means, “betting between ourselves,” and excludes the horse owners and racetrack owners. Oller decided that taking 5% of this pool before distributing winnings was a fair way to standardize the system. By 1887, Oller’s betting scheme was the only legal form of gambling in France and America followed their lead. By 1933, all American states legalized pari-mutuel betting, and the law has remained intact since.
Rise of the Chantilly Racetrack
Near the Chateau de Chantilly and Chantilly forest is the “Hippodrome de Chantilly” in Oise, France. The racetrack is also known as the Chantilly Racecourse, and it was built in 1834 by Jean Aubert. Perched about 30 miles outside of Paris, it has a fascinating past, a glamorous current owner, and striking beauty. One of the most picturesque features is the original stables from 1719. Built by owner Louis Henri, Duc de Bourbon, Prince of Condé, the “Grandes Écuries” are considered the most beautiful stables in the world.
Fifty-two years after the Chantilly Racecourse opened in 1834, the Duc d’Aumale donated the entire property to the Institut de France. They are still the current owners, but have substantial sponsorship from a prince that has no home country: Aga Khan. His Majesty may have a mysterious legacy, but his dedication to Thoroughbred racing is unmatched. One of his primary objectives is to breed prime Thoroughbreds and keep events like the French Derby funded.
How the French Derby began
To promote the French Jockey Club and the newly emerging French Thoroughbred, a premiere showcase race began in 1836. If there was one horse racing event that French citizens attended, Thoroughbred organizers wanted it to be the French Derby. During the ups and downs of horse racing in the 1800s, the French Derby endured because it was the Olympics of horses.
Interestingly, the race has changed distance several times over the past two hundred years. When it was originally won in 1836, it was 2,500 meters. This was reduced 17 years later to 2,400 meters. In 2005, it was officially shortened to 2,100 meters. During the entire two centuries of the French Derby, it has been held at the Chantilly Racecourse. The only exceptions are a move to Versailles for one year in 1848, and from 1945 to 1947, at Longchamp Racecourse.
What bettors need to know about the French Derby
· First French Derby winner in 1836 was Franck.
· First foreign horse of any kind to win the French Derby was in 1982 by Assert.
· Flat Grade 1 Thoroughbred race for three-year-olds on turf since 1971.
· The race distance was shortened in 2005 to 2,100 metres (1 mile and 2½ furlongs).
· Race was not run from 1917 to 1919 after World War 1.
· French Derby excludes geldings.
· Currently includes non-French horses.
· Purse: €1,500,000 (USD $1,845,200).
· French Derby is a prep race for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
· Past 10 years of French Derby winners: 2002 Sulamani, 2003 Dalakhani, 2004 Blue Canari, 2005 Shamardal, 2006 Darsi, 2007 Lawman, 2008 Vision d’Etat, 2009 Le Havre, 2010 Lope de Vega, 2011 Reliable Man, 2012 Saonois
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