More than a decade ago when I first went to Longchamp for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, it cost just €8 admission. France Galop had a general price tariff structure and Arc day was the most expensive day of the year in French racing (doubtless cashing in on foreign visitors). In recent years, France Galop have had to reassess their tariffs as revenues from the PMU on horseracing have started to decline because young people do not shovel a few Euros on the ponies at the local tabac on the way to work like their parents and grandparents before them. Last year Arc day at Chantilly would have cost €30 and several of the other premium days in the calendar such as the Prix du Jockey Club and the Prix de Diane now cost more than the standard daily admission. So it seems economic reality is starting to replace socialist dogma in the running of French racing. They have been doing a lot more in the marketing department at France Galop in recent years to try and make the product appeal more to the paying public; however, this appears to have come off the rails with the new Longchamp. Firstly they have renamed it “Paris Longchamp”, possibly because they think some people do not know the location of Longchamp on the Bois de Boulogne. Also possibly because it was one of the centrepieces of their successful Olympics 2024 bid (the intended location for all the equestrian events). Therefore, it beggars belief that with the course due to welcome a return to racing in 2018, the official website (according to the links on the France Galop website) http://www.parislongchamp.com does not exist in any serviceable form. Before booking a Eurostar for the Poule d’Essai des Poulains/Pouliches card on 13th May, it would be nice to be able to check out whether both races are on one card as they used to be or whether they have split them across the weekend like they did last year at Deauville, so I need to travel on the 12th. Does anybody know where reliable French horseracing information can be found given that the people running it seem to be incapable of providing information (in any language) less than six months in advance?
Well you know how it is QM, thoroughbred racing is now on the nose in most places on the globe. Get on the trots mate.
Finally managed to find some information about the new Longchamp – albeit in French! “ParisLongchamp” will open on the 8th of April with a card featuring the Group level Prix d’Harcourt, Prix La Force and Prix Vanteaux together with the Listed Prix Zarkava. The following Sunday will feature the Prix de la Grotte, Prix de Fontainebleau and Prix Noaïlles. There is then an “Inauguration” (Grand Reopening) day on the 29th of April with the highlight of the card being the Prix Ganay; but also featuring the Prix Allez France, Prix de Barbeville and two Listed events. The Ganay is supposedly the starting point of the season for John Gosden’s Cracksman. It seems that both the Pouliches and the Poulains have reverted to being on the same card on 13th May. Too late for cheap Eurostar tickets now. There have been some notable changes under a new project that France Galop have announced to create more racedays at the Paris tracks. One of the early indicators of this is that the Prix Du Moulin is on a card on 9th September with the Prix Gladiateur, both of which have been removed from the Arc Trials day card a week later, to which the Prix du Pin has been added as compensation. Disappointed personally as I liked the Moulin, Vermeille, Niel and Foy on one day! Arc weekend is still three weeks after Arc Trails day on the first weekend of October, with the Prix Cadran still relegated to the Saturday (6th) and the remainder of the Group 1s supporting the Arc on Sunday. France Galop have undertaken a substantial program of race moves, some of them only temporary, to make sure that “ParisLongchamp” has 34 meetings in 2018. Reading their “Optimisation Calendrier Premium 2018” document, it appears that real world economics have finally arrived in France and they are trying to do something to increase take on the PMU that ultimately funds their schedule. Part of the change appears to be some mixed trotting and flat racing cards. Not sure how that will work and I think their financial objectives are a little more than optimistic.
If you can 'suffer' the jumps why not try the Grand Steeplechase de Paris at Auteuil on Sunday 20th May; entrance should be Euros10. www.france-galop.com
It is a nice thought, BK, but suffers the same problem as their Guineas day card the week before: When I originally posted this thread (February), I was looking for info with a view to booking an early Eurostar ticket. At that time you could get the first train from St Pancras and third last train back from Gare du Nord for under £100. That is now nearer £200, which is a bit steep for one day at the races when I throw in the £50 of petrol driving to London and back! I may go to Arc Trials day (even though the Moulin has been removed) as I can still get the Eurostar for under a ton if I book soon. I definitely won’t be doing the first Arc weekend as I expect it will be crammed; and if I wanted to experience being a sardine in a tin, I would go to Cheltenham as I think I can still go to Gloucestershire without a passport.
A further option could be 'Les 48 Heures de l'Obstacle' also at Auteuil during the first weekend in November. Although the 'big' race is on the Saturday there are three Grade 1 races on the Sunday which compares well with a day at the Cheltenham Festival. Pretty good crowd but not busy. Although I attended the 'Grand Steep' in 2017 I have been to the November meeting four times. Really enjoyed the laid back atmosphere at the French 'jumps' racing. An added advantage is that you don't have to muck about with shuttle buses as the track is within a few minutes walk of the enjoyable and welcoming bars/brasseries/restaurants of Auteuil. Suppose it is just down to your taste; flat or jumps?
I looked at all the possible routes by whatever means of transport – even the ferry! There are no practical EasyJet flights from ‘ere up Norf. I tried to use EasyJet to go to the Arc Trials the week that Zarkava was running. At Luton airport, the queue at security was horrendous. Despite the continuous broadcast of the same message about taking all the crap out of your pockets, etc., the stupid bloody foreigners waited until they got to the front to be shouted at by security and I missed the plane by five minutes. See my previous ideas about airport security: 13 of the most infuriating people at airports – which one are you?
Yes, it is a shame about the travel costs, QMII, as the cost of going racing in France is really very reasonable. Pictures of the crowds at the Vincennes harness racing track, for example, certainly do suggest to me a sardine situation; it's not only Cheltenham! In passing and digressing, daughter and son-in-law just gave us a very nice wedding anniversary gift (won't tell you which rare metal ) of a return business-class trip to Scotland in May, with 4-days at a Hilton included. Better get myself in some sort of shape! Which brings me to the question, being English, do I need a bloody visa nowadays to visit the land of one of my grandpa's?
Wee Jimmy Krankie hasne thought of visas for the English yet. Of course they would charge for them. Happy anniversary. Take something to repel insects. North of the Border, the most intelligent life form is the midges. The proof of this is that they only feast on visitors, not the natives.
Congratulations to you and Mrs (or Frau?) SwanHills Am holidaying in Scotland in July - spending a week walking the west Highland way
Congrats on the wedding anniversary. No passports required yet but beware of staying too long as they will fleece you in tax. Best midge repellent is Avon Skin So Soft - apparently the little blighters can't stand it.
West Highland Way - nice but tough especially the bit up the side of Loch Lomond. You will defo need midge repellent
Those were the days. Is that still going on? Swanny, I'm assuming your wedding anniversary is in May?
1) No idea Ron, remember them in Canada mostly. 2) Was early this month actually. Hopefully weather will be a bit better everywhere in Europe in May. Cannot remember a March as miserable as this year's?
