Prix Maurice de Nieuil

Prix Maurice de Nieuil

Group 2 race
Le Capucin winner in 1924
Location	Longchamp Racecourse Paris, France
Inaugurated	1920
Race type	Flat / Thoroughbred
Website	france-galop.com
Race information
Distance	2,800 metres (1¾ miles)
Surface	Turf
Track	Right-handed
Qualification	Four-years-old and up
Weight	56 kg Allowances 1½ kg for fillies and mares Penalties 2 kg for Group 1 winners * 1 kg for Group 2 winnner * in current year
Purse	€130,000 (2016) 1st: €74,100

The Prix Maurice de Nieuil is a Group 2 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,800 metres (about 1¾ miles), and it is scheduled to take place each year in July.

History

The event was established in 1920, and it was initially called the Prix des Maréchaux. It was named in honour of the French and Allied marshals (maréchaux) who served in World War I. The race was originally staged at Saint-Cloud, and it was open to horses aged three or older. The early runnings were contested over 3,100 metres, and the distance was cut to 2,800 metres in 1928. It was shortened to 2,600 metres in 1936.

The Prix des Maréchaux was cancelled in 1940, and for a period thereafter it was held at Longchamp (1941–42, 1944–45), Le Tremblay (1943) and Maisons-Laffitte (1946). The Longchamp editions were run over 2,500 metres, and this became the regular distance when it returned to Saint-Cloud. It was known as the Prix de Strasbourg in 1947 and 1948.

The race was renamed the Prix Maurice de Nieuil in 1949. This was in memory of Maurice de Nieuil (1860–1949), a former chairman of the Société Sportive d'Encouragement, one of the precursors of France Galop.

The Prix Maurice de Nieuil was transferred to Maisons-Laffitte in 1990. It was closed to three-year-olds and extended to 2,800 metres in 2001. It was run over 3,000 metres in 2004, but it reverted to 2,800 metres the following year.

The event moved to Longchamp in 2006, and it is now part of the Grand Prix de Paris meeting. It is currently held on the evening of July 14, the French national holiday of Bastille Day.

Records

Most successful horse (2 wins):

• Or du Rhin – 1960, 1961

Leading jockey (5 wins):

• Christophe Soumillon - Martaline (2003), Bussoni (2007), Tac de Boistron (2013), Terrubi (2014), Candarliya (2016)

Leading trainer (8 wins):

• André Fabre – Saint Estephe (1985), French Glory (1990), Toulon (1991), Serrant (1993), Public Purse (1998), War Game (2000), Martaline (2003), Bellamy Cay (2006)

Leading owner (5 wins):

• Marcel Boussac – Denver (1934), Jock (1941), Macip (1955), Argal (1958), Emerald (1965)
• Khalid Abdullah – French Glory (1990), Toulon (1991), Public Purse (1998), Martaline (2003), Bellamy Cay (2006)

Winners since 1980

^a The 2016 race took place at Saint-Cloud while Longchamp was closed for redevelopment.

Earlier winners

See also

• List of French flat horse races
• Recurring sporting events established in 1920 – this race is included under its original title, Prix des Maréchaux.

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". 
• galop.courses-france.com:
  • 1920–1949, 1950–1979, 1980–present

• france-galop.com – A Brief History: Prix Maurice de Nieuil.
• galopp-sieger.de – Prix Maurice de Nieuil.
• horseracingintfed.com – International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – Prix Maurice de Nieuil (2016).
• pedigreequery.com – Prix Maurice de Nieuil.