Prix Matchem
| Class | Listed |
|---|---|
| Location | Saint-Cloud France |
| Inaugurated | 1931 |
| Race type | Flat / Thoroughbred |
| Website | france-galop.com |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1,800 m (1.1 mi; 8.9 furlongs)[1] |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Straight[1] |
| Qualification | Three-year-old colts and geldings excluding Group winners[1] |
| Weight | 56 kg Penalties 2 kg for Listed winners * 2 kg if Group placed * * since January 1[1] |
| Purse | €55,000 (2017) 1st: €27,500[1] |
| 2024 | ||
| Black, red chevrons on sleeves, red cap | emerald Green, Red epaulettes | Purple, yellow epaulets and armlets |
| Atlantic Coast | Elbaz | Zoum Zoum |
| Previous years | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | ||
| Grey, pink epaulets, white sleeves, pink cap | Royal blue | Emerald green, pink epaulets, white sleeves, pink cap |
| Shalromy | Art Of Magic | Halfway Line |
| 2022 | ||
| Royal blue | Emerald green, yellow sleeves, dark blue armlets, dark blue cap | Royal blue, white sleeves, red chevrons, red cap |
| Tribalist | American Kestrel | Anthorus |
| 2021 | ||
| Royal blue | Pink, black sleeves, pink seams, black cap, pink star | Light Blue, Dark Blue hoop, armlets and cap |
| Egot | Go Athletico | Djo Francais |
| 2000-1999 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | ||
| Royal blue and red stripes, chevrons on sleeves, quartered cap | Blue, white seams, white sleeves, white cap | Red, emerald green chevron, red sleeves, red cap, emerald green star |
| Darjeeling | Alyzig | Zaragozo |
| 1999 | ||
| Grey, pink cap | White, light blue stars, dark blue Cap | White, large dark green spots, dark green sleeves |
| Val Royal | Eighty Two | Leave Us Leap |
The Prix Matchem is a Listed flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run at Saint-Cloud over a distance of 1,800 m (1.1 mi; 8.9 furlongs), and it is scheduled to take place each year in October.
History
[edit | edit source]The event was established in 1931, and it was originally held at Le Tremblay.[2] It was initially the second leg of a two-part series called the Prix Biennal Herod-Matchem. The first leg, for two-year-olds, was the Prix Herod. The two parts were named after Herod and Matchem, foundation sires in the 18th century.
The Prix Matchem was transferred to Évry in the 1970s. For a period it took place in April or May, and its regular distance was 1,800 metres. It was cut to 1,600 metres in 1986, and restored to its previous length in 1990.
The race was switched to Chantilly in 1997, and to Maisons-Laffitte the following year. It began a longer spell at Chantilly in 1999, and returned to Maisons-Laffitte in 2002. It was extended to 2,100 metres in 2005, and from this point it was staged in late May or early June.
The Prix Matchem was contested over 2,000 metres at Compiègne in 2006 and 2007. It was run over 1,800 metres at Maisons-Laffitte in 2008, and over 2,000 metres at Saint-Cloud from 2009 to 2011. It reverted to 1,800 metres at Maisons-Laffitte in 2012.
Records
[edit | edit source]Leading jockey since 1979 (7 wins):
- Olivier Peslier – Le Balafre (1993), Martiniquais (1996), Val Royal (1999), Vahorimix (2001), Thattinger (2002), Pilote (2013), Matematica (2019)
Leading trainer since 1979 (13 wins):
- André Fabre – Kitwood (1992), Bobinski (1995), Martiniquais (1996), Visionary (1997), Val Royal (1999), Vahorimix (2001), Kiddy Sing (2003), Valixir (2004), Kocab (2005), Russian Desert (2007), Cavalryman (2009), Pilote (2013), Alson (2020)
Leading owner since 1979 (4 wins):
- Jean-Luc Lagardère – Alzao (1983), Visionary (1997), Val Royal (1999), Vahorimix (2001)
- HH Aga Khan IV - Mourtazam (1981), Dilek (2006), Valiyr (2011), Rickfield (2015)
Winners since 1979
[edit | edit source]- ^ The 2006 winner Dilek was later exported to Hong Kong and renamed Viva Macau
Earlier winners
[edit | edit source]- 1931: Pulcherrimus
- 1932: Laeken
- 1933: Scolopax
- 1934: Antiochus
- 1935: Ipe
- 1936: Petit Jean
- 1937: Clairvoyant
- 1938: Castel Fusano
- 1939: Etalon Or
- 1947: Pearl Diver
- 1962: Violon d'Ingres
- 1963: Montsoreau
- 1974: Caracolero
- 1976: Exceller
- 1978: Dom Racine
See also
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]- pedigreequery.com – Prix Matchem.