BOOK NOW!The Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris weekend comprises two consecutive days of top-class sport, including some of the best jumps races in France.
Over a week-end, Auteuil racecourse hosts 10 hurdles races and 6 steeplechase races, including the ZEturf Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris, which lends its name to this weekend of thrilling horseracing action!
The ZEturf Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris is a highly spectacular race, and one of the year’s most important sporting events.
The world’s most talented thoroughbreds coupled with highly experienced jockeys launch themselves onto the 3-mile 6-furlong course, the longest steeplechase course at Auteuil, which is dotted with 23 obstacles of various sizes and difficulties.
After 7 minutes of exertion comes the compensation! The race offers 850,000 euros in prize money, making it the most richly-rewarded jumps race in France.
Winning the ZEturf Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris is a true exploit, a dream come true for all jump jockeys, owners and trainers. It is the culmination of their whole career, a huge triumph!
THE ZETURF GRAND STEEPLE-CHASE DE PARIS IS:
THE MOST DAUNTING OBSTACLES:
Rail Ditch and Fence
An obstacle of awe-inspiring proportions, which proves critical for victory!
This is the most daunting obstacle on the course, thanks to its massive proportions.
The horses must jump 5 metres across and 1.70m high to clear this combination, which is made up of a high rail, a deep ditch and a tall hedge.
Jumped at the end of the course, it is also known as the “Juge de Paix” as it is often a critical obstacle for victory.
Rivière des Tribunes
A massive 8-metre jump, tackled twice!
Located just in front of the grandstand, this obstacle is made up of a hedge hiding a water jump, and requires the horses to jump 8 metres across! The Rivière des Tribunes features twice in the ZEturf Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris course!
SOME EXPLANATIONS
Hurdles races:
Hurdles races include a minimum of 7 obstacles to jump. These 7 “hurdles” are identical and are 1.10m high.
Steeplechase races:
In this discipline, various different obstacles (walls, water jumps, etc.) are dotted along the course. Steeplechase obstacles are higher and more challenging than hurdles.
Steeplechase jumps vary from one race to another, and also from one racecourse to another.
TO SUM UP
7 minutes of intense effort for the horses and their jockeys
3 miles 6 furlongs long, one of the year’s longest steeplechase races
23 obstacles to jump, requiring a finely-tuned technique
A maximum of 20 horses at the start, coupled with highly experienced jockeys
Only 1 winner, who enters ZEturf Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris legend!
THE CROWNING OF THE BEST STEEPLECHASER SINCE 1874
1977 - CORPS A CORPS- ©APRH
Originally called the Grand National d'Auteuil, the mission of this race was to become as prestigious as the British Grand National, held in Liverpool.
Its distance, having slightly varied over the centuries, is now set at 3 miles and 6 furlongs and requires exceptional stamina from the four-hoofed athletes.
1966 - HYERES III- ©APRH
RARELY REPEATED EXPLOITS
1920 - COQ GAULOIS- ©APRH
Among the thousands of horses to have competed in over 139 editions of the event, only a handful have been able to win the race more than once.
Only 9 thoroughbreds have won the race twice:
- Wild Monarch (1878–1879)
- Dandolo (1904-1908)
- Ingré (1937-1939)
- Lindor (1946-1947)
- Huron (1969-1970)
- Ucello II (1993-1994)
- Kotkijet (2001-2004)
- Princesse d'Anjou (2006-2008)
- So French (2016 - 2017)
Over the years, three racing legends have been unveiled at Auteuil, a trio of illustrious mounts who managed to win the world’s most selective jumps race on three separate occasions!
The mare Hyères III, who won from 1964 to 1966, was the first. Katko (1988 to 1990) and, more recently, Mid Dancer (2007, 2011 and 2012) proved that this feat is still possible.
1964 - HYERES III - ©APRH
ZETURF BECOMES THE SPONSOR OF THE GRAND STEEPLE CHASE DE PARIS RACE
France Galop is delighted to welcome a new sponsor to its classic racing programme: ZETURF is now the official sponsor of the Grand Steeple Chase de Paris race, which will now be called the ZETURF GRAND STEEPLE CHASE DE PARIS.
The race will be run in Paris, on Auteuil racecourse, on 19th May and will be the high point of a fantastic weekend of racing that boasts nine selective races.
The Grand Steeple Chase de Paris is the most prestigious race on the French jumps racing calendar.
Run over a distance of 3 miles and 6 furlongs and dotted with 23 obstacles, this top-level event is contested by some of Europe’s very best racing professionals.
ZETURF, established in France since 2010, is a major player in European horse racing and sports betting. In accordance with French law, ZETURF contributes to financing the horse racing industry by paying a levy on the revenue it earns from bets made on horse races in France.
This levy amounts to €10 million per year.
The agreement that binds ZETURF and FRANCE GALOP concerns the year 2019 and may be renewed, with ZETURF given first refusal over any other potential sponsors.
The aim after the first year, for both partners, is to sign a longer-term sponsorship agreement.
In 2019, ZETURF’s financial contribution and the visibility the event will be given on its website (www.zeturf.fr) will boost communications about the Grand Steeple Chase de Paris and help build a strong partnership.
A number of actions that use ZETURF’s website to encourage more people to attend this event are already in the pipeline.
Edouard de Rothschild, Chairman of France Galop, announced: “The racing industry is hugely competitive, and we can only create a virtuous circle if everyone cooperates with one other. Zeturf is a key stakeholder in this industry and I am delighted that they are supporting this wonderful event at Auteuil. It is the first stage of a partnership that we both hope to develop further.”
