Chantilly Racecourse
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Horse Racetrack | |
|---|---|
| Chantilly Racecourse | |
 |
|
| Location | Chantilly, Oise, France |
| Owner | Institut de France Managed by France Galop |
| Opened | May 15, 1834 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Website | Chantilly Racecourse |
| Principal Races | |
| Group One events: | |
| Prix du Jockey Club - Inaugurated 1836 | |
| Prix de Diane - Inaugurated 1843 | |
| Prix Jean Prat - Inaugurated 1858 | |
Chantilly Racecourse (In French: "Hippodrome de Chantilly") is a Thoroughbred turf racecourse for flat racing in Chantilly, Oise, France, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) north of the center of the city of Paris.
Chantilly Racecourse is located in in the country's main horse training area on 65 hectares next to the Chantilly Forest. A right-handed course, it was built with interlocking tracks. The main course is 2,400 meters long, with another at 2,150 meters, plus a round course adaptable from 1,400 to 2,400 meters.
The first race card at Chantilly was held on May 15, 1834 and its existing grandstand was built in 1879 by the famed architect Honore Daumet, who also did the renovations to the nearby Chateau de Chantilly. The racecourse was constructed abutting the existing Great Stables (French:Grandes Écuries), built in 1719 by estate owner, Louis Henri, Duc de Bourbon, Prince of Condé. Designed by the architect Jean Aubert, the mammoth 186-meter-long stable is considered the most beautiful in the world. [1]
In 1886, the Duc d'Aumale donated the racecourse to the Institut de France. In 1982, the Living Museum of the Horse was created as part of the stables which was opened to the public. In July of 2006, the museum was acquired by the Foundation for the Safe-keeping and Development of the Chantilly Domain, presided over by His Highness, the Aga Khan IV.
During the first week of June, the racecourse hosts the Prix du Jockey Club, the third of the French racing season's five Classic Races.
