The Prix Jean de Chaudenay was a Group 2 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It was run at Saint-Cloud over a distance of 2,400 metres (about 1½ miles), and it was scheduled to take place each year in May or June.

History

The event was established in 1920, and it was originally called the Grand Prix du Printemps. It was held on the French public holiday of Lundi de Pentecôte. It was initially open to horses aged three or older, and run over 2,600 metres. It was cut to 2,500 metres in 1923, and to 2,400 metres in 1929.

The race was renamed in memory of Jean de Chaudenay (1870–1967), a former president of the Société Sportive d'Encouragement, in the late 1960s. It was abandoned due to student protests in 1968, and first run with its new title in 1969.

The present system of race grading was introduced in 1971, and the Prix Jean de Chaudenay was classed at Group 2 level.

The race was closed to three-year-olds in 1994. It was contested at Deauville over 2,500 metres in 1996. It was last run in 2003.

Another event, the Prix Hubert de Chaudenay, became known as the Prix Chaudenay in 2004. It now honours both father and son, Jean and Hubert de Chaudenay.

Records

Most successful horse since 1959 (2 wins):

• Boyatino – 1988, 1989

• Dear Doctor – 1991, 1992

Leading jockey since 1959 (6 wins):

• Yves Saint-Martin – Negresco (1960), Catilina (1962), Psyche (1967), Ashmore (1975), Maitland (1976), Welsh Term (1983)

Leading trainer since 1959 (6 wins):

• François Mathet – Negresco (1960), Dicta Drake (1961), Catilina (1962), Direct Flight (1973), Diagramatic (1977), Vayrann (1981)

Leading owner since 1959 (6 wins):

• Daniel Wildenstein – Felicio (1969), Ashmore (1975), Maitland (1976), Seurat (1985), Lascaux (1987), First Magnitude (2000)

Winners since 1970

Millenary finished first in 2003, but he was relegated to second place following a stewards' inquiry.

Earlier winners

• 1921: Polidora

• 1922: Kircubbin

• 1923: Mirebeau

• 1924: Le Debardeur

• 1925: Pitchoury

• 1926: Feu Follet

• 1927: Fortunio

• 1928: Tape a l'Oeil

• 1929: Coligny

• 1930: Delate

• 1931: Raeburn

• 1932: Papillon Rose

• 1933: Le Cacique

• 1934: Lilium

• 1935: Saint Fiacre

• 1936: Lorenzo de' Medici

• 1937: Mousson

• 1938: Sirtam

• 1939: Talma

• 1941: Pizzicato

• 1942: Cordon Rouge

• 1943: Sir Fellah

• 1944: Seer

• 1946: Elseneur

• 1947: Narses

• 1949: Tanagrello

• 1950: Springfield

• 1951: L'Amiral

• 1952: Mat de Cocagne

• 1953: Signal

• 1954: Soleil Levant

• 1955: Norsemour

• 1956: Defensal

• 1957: Yvre

• 1958: Malefaim

• 1959: Nagami

• 1960: Negresco

• 1961: Dicta Drake

• 1962: Catilina

• 1963: Blanc Bleu

• 1964: Royal Avenue

• 1965: Demi Deuil

• 1966: Vasco de Gama

• 1967: Psyche

• 1968: no race

• 1969: Felicio

See also

• List of French flat horse races

• Recurring sporting events established in 1920 – this race is included under its original title, Grand Prix du Printemps.

References

France Galop / Racing Post:

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galop.courses-france.com:

• 1974–1979, 1980–2003

• france-galop.com – A Brief History: Prix Chaudenay.

• galopp-sieger.de – Prix Jean de Chaudenay (ex Grand Prix du Printemps).

• pedigreequery.com – Prix Jean de Chaudenay – Saint-Cloud.