New title sponsor sees increased prize-money for Deauville Classics

An innovative partnership was announced on Thursday between France Galop, Arqana and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council that will keep the Classics at Deauville on May 13-14 highly competitive, in prize-money terms, with those run at Newmarket.

The Abu Dhabi Sports Council will become the title sponsor for the Poules d’Essai des Poulains and the Poules d’Essai des Pouliches (French 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas) as well as the Arqana Breeze-Up Sale which takes place on the eve of racing.

Total prize-money for each of the races has been increased around 10 per cent to €600,000 for the colts' race (€342,840 to the winner) and €500,000 for the filly’s race (€284,700 to the winner).

Moreover if born and bred in France, or assimilated as French-bred, the winner of those races will receive an extra 63 per cent of prize-money for first place.

If qualifying for the owner’s premium, therefore, the winner of the Abu Dhabi Poule d’Essai des Poulains would earn an aggregate of €558,820; and that of the Abu Dhabi Poule d’Essai des Pouliches, €465,691.

To put that into context, the Qipco 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket both carry a first prize of £283,550 (€329,000), while the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas are worth €171,000 apiece to the winner - pending, that is, any injection of supplementary entry fees.

The Poule d'Essai weekend was moved to Deauville for 2016 and 2017 while renovations take place at Longchamp. Both Classics last year were won by horses that proceeded to confirm their elite quality by winning subsequent Group 1 races, in The Gurkha and La Cressonniere.

Return to Longchamp

Olivier Delloye, General Manager of France Galop, said: "France Galop is delighted that the Abu Dhabi Sports Council has accorded France such a paramount place in its European sponsorship program.

"As early as next year, the Poules d’Essai will start a new chapter in its long history by returning to a completely new and modernised Longchamp, to the benefit of all, professionals as well as visitors.

"This relocation will create new prospects for the partnership with Abu Dhabi Sports Council that we intend to build on over many years.”

The Arqana Breeze Up Sale takes place on the eve of racing. Classic hope Syphax emerged from last year's sale when purchased by Stephen Hillen for €100,000.

Eric Hoyeau, chairman of Arqana, said: "We are honoured that the Abu Dhabi Sport Council is showing so much interest in the French breeding, racing and sales industry by agreeing to form this unique partnership with Arqana and France Galop.

"The Breeze Up Sale is an event that has really taken off over the last ten years, in terms of results in the sales ring, but also at the racecourses. These results reflect the efforts of our sales teams and also show how important the Deauville sales market is. Investors from all over the world are eager to come to Deauville to watch great quality racing and to buy their future champions."

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