Prix Ganay and Prix Allez France Longines head Sunday’s card at Longchamp

Tomorrow’s meeting is one of 32 race days this year at the racecourse in the French capital which will stage many Group 1 races, notably the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in October.

Sunday’s meeting is no exception with the Group 1 Prix Ganay being one of the key contests to look forward to. It is open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older and run over a distance of 2,100 metres (about 1 mile and 2½ furlongs) with the leading horses from the race often going on to compete in the autumn’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

The race has a long history for it was established in 1889 and originally called the Prix des Sablons contested over 2,000 metres. The Prix des Sablons was abandoned throughout World War I, with no running from 1915 to 1918 and it was run at Maisons-Laffitte over 2,100 metres in 1944 and 1945. That was until the race was renamed in 1949 in memory of Jean de Ganay (1861–1948), a former president of the Société d’Encouragement.

Twelve months ago, the first meeting at the newly refurbished and rebranded ParisLongchamp saw Frankie Dettori lead Cracksman to victory in the Prix Ganay, and whilst horse and jockey will not contest this year’s renewal, the starting field of five horses is still very competitive and open. Charlie Appleby’s Ghaiyyath with jockey William Buick is perhaps the standout prospect to take the honours, however  Christophe Soumillon on Intellogent and Mickael Barzalona on Soleil Marin will provide a stiff challenge.  Study of Man (with Stephane Pasquier aboard) and Waldgeist (to be ridden by Pierre-Charles Boudot) make up the field.

Buick, Soumillon and Barzalona will also feature in the preceding Prix Allez France Longines which will see ten horses compete.

This Group 3 flat horse race is open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged four years or older and is run over a distance of 2,000 metres (about 1¼ miles). It is named after Allez France, a successful mare trained at Chantilly during the 1970s whose victories included the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 1974. The Prix Allez France was established in 2004 and was one of several races for older fillies introduced that year across Europe designed as incentives to keep more fillies and mares from being exported or prematurely retired to stud.

Barzalona has recent form in the race having ridden Kitesurf to success in last year’s contest, and he takes the reins on Morgan Le Faye on this occasion. However it is Soumillon and Buick – on Shahnaza and Dramatic Queen respectively – who will more than likely feature prominently in the final shake-up for what also promises to be an open race.

As the Official Partner at the racecourse, prestige Swiss watchmaking brand Longines will once again be Official Timekeeper of all the races on Sunday’s card at ParisLongchamp including both the Prix Ganay and the Prix Allez France.