The Prix d'Ispahan is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 1,850 metres (about 1 mile and 1¼ furlongs), and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.

Prix d'Ispahan
Group 1 race
LocationLongchamp Racecourse
Paris, France
Inaugurated1873
Race typeFlat / Thoroughbred
Websitefrance-galop.com
Race information
Distance1,850 metres (about 9 furlongs or about 1 1/8 miles)[1]
SurfaceTurf
TrackRight-handed
QualificationFour-years-old and up[1]
Weight58 kg
Allowances
1½ kg for fillies and mares
[1]
Purse250,000 (2022)
1st: €142,850
[1]
Prix d'Ispahan
2023
Royal blue, white epaulettes, striped cap Royal blue, light green hoops, royal blue sleeves Forest green, crimson chevron, crimson cap
Anmaat Light Infantry Facteur Cheval
Previous years
2022
Red, purple spots, hooped sleeves, red cap White, dark green chevron, striped cap Purple, white cross of lorraine and sleeves
Dreamloper Wally Pretty Tiger
2021
Orange, grey hoops on body Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves Yellow, purple star, yellow cap
Skalleti Tilsit My Oberon
2020-2011
2020
Royal blue, light blue sleeves and cap Red, black stripes, red sleeves Emerald green, pink star, striped sleeves and cap
Persian King Stormy Antarctic Pogo
2019
Yellow, black large spots, yellow sleeves, yellow cap, black spots Dark blue, light blue saint's cross andre, dark blue sleeves, light blue diabolo, white cap White, brown chevron, white sleeves, orange cap
Zabeel Prince Study Of Man Trais Fluors
2018
Yellow, white sleeves, light blue striped, light blue cap Black, Yellow cap White, brown chevron, white sleeves, orange cap
Recoletos Almodovar Trais Fluors
2017
Silver, gold braid, maroon cap, gold tassel Royal blue, white cap Royal blue
Mekhtaal Robin Of Navan Usherette
2016
Red, black stripes, black sleeves, yellow armlets, red and black striped cap GREEN, red epaulettes, green cap Pink, white stars on sleeves
A Shin Hikari Dariyan Silverwave
2015
Royal blue, white seams, sleeves and cap Yellow and black hoops, white sleeves and cap White, emerald green hoop
Solow Gailo Chop Sparkling Beam
2014
Grey, maroon braces, striped sleeves and cap Royal blue, white seams, sleeves and cap Dark blue, pink cross belts, dark blue sleeves, pink stars
Cirrus Des Aigles Anodin Pollyana
2013
Dark blue, light blue cross belts, striped sleeves, white cap Grey, maroon epaulets Emerald green, chocolate epaulettes and cap
Maxios Planteur Mandour
2012
Red, emerald green chevron, emerald green cap Dark blue, light blue star, diamonds on sleeves, quartered cap Purple and yellow (quartered), striped sleeves, quartered cap
Golden Lilac Planteur No Risk At All
2011
Royal blue, white seams, sleeves and cap Grey, maroon braces, striped sleeves and cap Purple and orange stripes, halved sleeves, white cap
Goldikova Cirrus Des Aigles Rajsaman
2010–2001
2010
Royal blue, white seams, sleeves and cap Green, pink epaulets, white sleeves, pink cap Red, royal blue sleeves, black cap
Goldikova Byword Wiener Walzer
2009
Yellow, emerald green chevron, red cap Orange, white hoops on body Royal blue, white seams, chevrons on sleeves, white cap
Never On Sunday Gris De Gris Runaway
2008
GREEN, red epaulettes, green cap Emerald green, chocolate epaulettes and cap Royal Blue, Light Blue cap
Sageburg Darjina Loup Breton
2007
Yellow, Dark Blue cross belts and sleeves Green, purple epaulets and sleeves, striped cap Dark blue, red striped sleeves, striped cap
Manduro Turtle Bowl Stormy River
2006
Royal blue, white chevron, light blue cap Yellow, Dark Blue cross belts and sleeves Dark Blue, Grey stars, Grey star on Dark Blue cap
Laverock Manduro Krataios
2005
GREEN, red epaulettes, green cap Yellow, red triple diamond, white sleeves, red diamond armbands, red cap Green, pink epaulets, white sleeves, pink cap
Valixir Elvstroem Cacique
2004
Red, dark blue epaulets, yellow star on cap Dark blue, light blue cross belts, striped sleeves, white cap Purple, Gold hoop and armlets, Black cap
Prince Kirk Six Perfections Checkit
2003
Light blue, yellow hoop and armlets, yellow cap, light blue diamond Royal Blue, Light Blue cap Red, white sash, royal blue cap
Falbrav Bright Sky Carnival Dancer
2002
Royal blue Royal Blue, Light Blue cap Green, pink epaulets, white sleeves, pink cap
Best Of The Bests Poussin Banks Hill
2001
Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves Emerald green, white sash with yellow piping, emerald green and yellow check sleeves, white cap with pom pom Royal blue
Observatory Hightori Ekraar
2000–1991
2000
GREEN, red epaulettes, green cap Royal blue, yellow cap Green, pink epaulets, white sleeves, pink cap
Sendawar Indian Danehill Chelsea Manor
1999
Dark green, white chevron and sleeves, white cap, green star Yellow, blue hoop, red sleeves, red and blue quartered cap Royal blue, white seams, sleeves and cap
Croco Rouge El Condor Pasa Gold Away
1998
Royal Blue, Light Blue cap GREEN, red epaulettes, green cap Red
Loup Sauvage Astarabad Marathon
1997
Black and white halved, sleeves reversed, red cap Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves White and blue (quartered), yellow sleeves, blue cap
Sasuru Wixim Simon Du Desert
1996
White, maroon braces and armlets, hoop on cap Royal Blue, Light Blue cap Royal Blue, Light Blue cap
Halling Gunboat Diplomacy Vetheuil
1995
Royal blue, white seams, sleeves and cap Light blue and black diabolo, light blue sleeves, quartered cap Dark blue, yellow sleeves, hooped cap
Green Tune Pelder Marildo
1994
Royal Blue, Light Blue cap Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap Dark blue, yellow sleeves, hooped cap
Bigstone Muhtarram Marildo
1993
Royal Blue, Light Blue cap Grey, black sleeves and cap Dark blue, light blue cross belts, striped sleeves, white cap
Arcangues Misil Shanghai
1992
Dark green Royal Blue, Light Blue cap Dark blue, light blue cross belts, striped sleeves, white cap
Zoman Arcangues Exit To Nowhere
1991
Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves Royal blue, yellow chevron and armlets, black cap Dark green
Sanglamore Priolo Zoman
1990–1988
1990
Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star Royal blue, white seams, sleeves and cap Red, two light blue vees
Creator Val Des Bois Citidancer
1989
Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star Dark blue, orange sleeves, black and orange check cap Yellow and black hoops, yellow cap
Indian Skimmer Gabina French Stress
1988
Dark blue, light blue crossbelts, white cap Red and white hoops, white sleeves and cap Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves
Miesque Saint Andrews Jalaajel
 

History edit

The inaugural running of the Prix d'Ispahan was the showpiece event of a meeting held at Longchamp on 13 July 1873. The meeting had been hastily arranged to honour the Shah of Persia, Naser al-Din Shah Qajar, who was making an official visit to Paris. The race was named after Ispahan, the French name for Isfahan, a former capital city of Persia.

The Prix d'Ispahan was initially contested over 3,000 metres, and it was originally open to horses aged three or older. Its distance was cut to 2,400 metres in its second year, and it was further reduced to 2,200 metres in 1891, and to 2,100 metres in 1903.

The race was abandoned throughout World War I, with no running from 1915 to 1918. Its present length, 1,850 metres, was introduced in 1921. It was cancelled once during World War II, in 1940. It was run over 2,000 metres at Le Tremblay in 1943 and 1944.

The present system of race grading began in 1971, and the Prix d'Ispahan was classed at the highest level, Group 1. The minimum age of participating horses was raised to four in 1987. It was staged at Chantilly in 1991, and at this venue its distance was 1,800 metres. The race was opened to geldings in 2001.

In 2020, Prix d'Ispahan moved to July and three years old horses can run by one time basis.[2]

Records edit

Most successful horse (2 wins):

  • Champaubert – 1897, 1898 (dead-heat)
  • La Camargo – 1903, 1904
  • Moulins la Marche – 1908, 1909
  • Renette – 1935, 1936
  • Hierocles – 1942, 1943
  • Coaraze – 1946, 1947
  • Fric – 1955, 1956
  • Crystal Glitters – 1983, 1984
  • Goldikova2010, 2011

Leading jockey (7 wins):

  • Yves Saint-MartinLa Sega (1962), Jour et Nuit (1964), Silver Shark (1966), Zeddaan (1968), La Troublerie (1973), Allez France (1974), Crystal Glitters (1983)

Leading trainer (9 wins):

  • André FabreAl Nasr (1982), Crystal Glitters (1984), Creator (1990), Arcangues (1993), Loup Sauvage (1998), Valixir (2005), Manduro (2007), Golden Lilac (2012), Persian King (2020)

Leading owner (8 wins):

  • Marcel BoussacGoyescas (1933), Hierocles (1942, 1943), Priam (1945), Coaraze (1946, 1947), Dynamiter (1951), Arbele (1952)

Winners since 1969 edit

Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Time
1969 Grandier 5 Maurice Philipperon John Cunnington Jr. Mrs Pierre Ribes 1:55.8
1970 Caro 3 Bill Williamson Albert Klimscha Countess Batthyany 1:56.8
1971 Mister Sic Top 4 Alfred Gibert G. Pézeril Lucien Deshayes 2:02.4
1972 Riverman 3 Freddy Head Alec Head Germaine Wertheimer 1:54.2
1973 La Troublerie 4 Yves Saint-Martin Gérard Philippeau Mrs Marc Laloum 1:52.9
1974 Allez France 4 Yves Saint-Martin Angel Penna Sr. Daniel Wildenstein 1:55.7
1975 Ramirez 4 Philippe Paquet François Boutin María Félix Berger 1:51.3
1976 Full of Hope 6 Bill Pyers Gilles Delloye C. F. Delecroix 1:54.4
1977 Lightning 3 Gérard Dubroeucq François Mathet Guy de Rothschild 1:52.9
1978 Carwhite 4 Freddy Head Alec Head Jacques Wertheimer 1:53.9
1979 Irish River 3 Maurice Philipperon John Cunnington Jr. Mrs Raymond Adès 1:51.7
1980 Nadjar 4 Alain Lequeux Aage Paus Gunnar Schjelderup 1:57.4
1981 The Wonder 3 Alain Lequeux Jacques de Chevigny Mrs Alain du Breil 1:57.7
1982 Al Nasr 4 Alain Lequeux André Fabre Moufid F. Dabaghi 1:54.3
1983 Crystal Glitters 3 Yves Saint-Martin Mitri Saliba Mahmoud Fustok 1:53.0
1984 Crystal Glitters 4 Alfred Gibert André Fabre Mahmoud Fustok 1:50.6
1985 Sagace 5 Éric Legrix Patrick Biancone Daniel Wildenstein 1:51.1
1986 Baillamont 4 Freddy Head François Boutin Stavros Niarchos 1:50.8
1987 Highest Honor 4 Cash Asmussen Pascal Bary Ecurie I. M. Fares 1:55.3
1988 Miesque 4 Freddy Head François Boutin Stavros Niarchos 1:55.2
1989 Indian Skimmer 5 Steve Cauthen Henry Cecil Sheikh Mohammed 1:52.3
1990 Creator 4 Cash Asmussen André Fabre Sheikh Mohammed 1:51.5
1991 Sanglamore 4 Pat Eddery Roger Charlton Khalid Abdullah 1:49.9
1992 Zoman 5 Alan Munro Paul Cole Prince Fahd bin Salman 1:54.6
1993 Arcangues 5 Thierry Jarnet André Fabre Daniel Wildenstein 1:50.7
1994 Bigstone 4 Olivier Peslier Élie Lellouche Daniel Wildenstein 1:51.7
1995 Green Tune 4 Olivier Doleuze Criquette Head Jacques Wertheimer 1:53.7
1996 Halling 5 Frankie Dettori Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin 2:02.9
1997 Sasuru 4 Michael Hills Geoff Wragg Anthony Oppenheimer 1:54.6
1998 Loup Sauvage 4 Olivier Peslier André Fabre Daniel Wildenstein 1:52.7
1999 Croco Rouge 4 Thierry Jarnet Pascal Bary Wafic Saïd 1:53.7
2000 Sendawar 4 Gérald Mossé Alain de Royer-Dupré Aga Khan IV 1:59.3
2001 Observatory 4 Richard Hughes John Gosden Khalid Abdullah 1:51.0
2002 Best of the Bests 5 Frankie Dettori Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin 1:51.4
2003 Falbrav 5 Kieren Fallon Luca Cumani Rencati / Yoshida 1:51.0
2004 Prince Kirk 4 Marco Monteriso Emilio Borromeo Scuderia Pieffegi 1:52.0
2005 Valixir 4 Christophe Soumillon André Fabre Aga Khan IV 1:50.9
2006 Laverock 4 Davy Bonilla Carlos Laffon-Parias Gainsborough Stud 1:52.2
2007 Manduro 5 Stéphane Pasquier André Fabre Baron G. von Ullmann 1:58.0
2008 Sageburg 4 Olivier Peslier Alain de Royer-Dupré Aga Khan IV 1:53.7
2009 Never on Sunday 4 Christophe Lemaire Jean-Claude Rouget Daniel-Yves Trèves 1:57.2
2010 Goldikova 5 Olivier Peslier Freddy Head Wertheimer et Frère 1:49.4
2011 Goldikova 6 Olivier Peslier Freddy Head Wertheimer et Frère 1:51.0
2012 Golden Lilac 4 Maxime Guyon André Fabre Gestut Ammerland 1:51.85
2013 Maxios 5 Stéphane Pasquier Jonathan Pease Niarchos Family 1:56.55
2014 Cirrus des Aigles 8 Christophe Soumillon Corine Barande-Barbe Jean-Claude Dupouy 1:57.98
2015 Solow 5 Maxime Guyon Freddy Head Wertheimer et Frère 1:51.30
2016 A Shin Hikari[a] 5 Yutaka Take Masanori Sakaguchi Eishindo Co Ltd 1:53.29
2017 Mekhtaal[a] 4 Grégory Benoist Jean-Claude Rouget Al Shaqab Racing 1:49.92
2018 Recoletos 4 Olivier Peslier Carlos Laffon-Parias Sarl Darpat France 1:52.80
2019 Zabeel Prince 6 Andrea Atzeni Roger Varian Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum 1:53.07
2020[b] Persian King 4 Pierre-Charles Boudot André Fabre Ballymore & Godolphin 1:47.21
2021 Skalleti 6 Gérald Mossé Jerome Reynier Jean-Claude Seroul 1:53.57
2022 Dreamloper 5 Kieran Shoemark Ed Walker J Fill 1:53.74
2023 Anmaat 5 Jim Crowley Owen Burrows Shadwell Estate 1:52.12
  1. ^ a b The 2016 and 2017 races took place at Chantilly while Longchamp was closed for redevelopment
  2. ^ Due to COVID-19 pandemic, the race moved to mid-July, ran at Chantilly with 1800 metres and open for three-years old horses

Earlier winners edit

  • 1873: Campeche
  • 1874: Franc Tireur
  • 1875: Paradoxe
  • 1876: Saxifrage
  • 1877: Gavarni
  • 1878: Jongleur
  • 1879: Courtois
  • 1880: Castillon
  • 1881: Alphonsine
  • 1882: Poulet
  • 1883: Veston
  • 1884: Farfadet
  • 1885: Despote
  • 1886: Viennois
  • 1887: Cambyse
  • 1888: Embellie
  • 1889: Le Sancy
  • 1890: Yellow
  • 1891: Amazone
  • 1892: Gil Peres
  • 1893: Saint Ferjeux
  • 1894: Algarade
  • 1895: Honneur
  • 1896: Le Sagittaire
  • 1897: Champaubert
  • 1898: Champaubert / Cambridge[a]
  • 1899: Fourire
  • 1900: Cravan
  • 1901: Dido
  • 1902: Exema
  • 1903: La Camargo
  • 1904: La Camargo
  • 1905: Caius
  • 1906: Phoenix
  • 1907: Ouadi Halfa
  • 1908: Moulins la Marche
  • 1909: Moulins la Marche
  • 1910: Goloss
  • 1911: Ossian
  • 1912: Rouble
  • 1913: Foxling
  • 1914: Amilcar
  • 1915–18: no race
  • 1919: Radames
  • 1920: Le Rapin
  • 1921: La Finette
  • 1922: Kircubbin
  • 1923: Épinard
  • 1924: Premontre
  • 1925: Condover
  • 1926: Coram
  • 1927: Kitty
  • 1928: Rialto
  • 1929: Kantar
  • 1930: Alcyon
  • 1931: Four in Hand
  • 1932: Lovelace
  • 1933: Goyescas
  • 1934: Rodosto
  • 1935: Renette
  • 1936: Renette
  • 1937: Sanguinetto
  • 1938: Bistolfi
  • 1939: Turbulent
  • 1940: no race
  • 1941: Panipat
  • 1942: Hierocles
  • 1943: Hierocles
  • 1944: Un Gaillard
  • 1945: Priam
  • 1946: Coaraze
  • 1947: Coaraze
  • 1948: Bel Amour
  • 1949: Menetrier
  • 1950: Fort Napoleon
  • 1951: Dynamiter
  • 1952: Arbele
  • 1953: Sadi
  • 1954: Florin
  • 1955: Fric
  • 1956: Fric
  • 1957: Chief
  • 1958: Blockhaus
  • 1959: Hamanet
  • 1960: Tobago
  • 1961: Javelot
  • 1962: La Sega
  • 1963: Manderley
  • 1964: Jour et Nuit
  • 1965: Esso
  • 1966: Silver Shark
  • 1967: Caldarello
  • 1968: Zeddaan
  1. ^ The 1898 race was a dead-heat and has joint winners

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d "Prix d'Ispahan". The French Black Type. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  2. ^ French racing to restart with four Group races and Monday slot for the Guineas