Prix Vanteaux - History

History

The event is named after the Vanteaux family, who were among France's first racehorse breeders. The family were based at the Saint-Jean-Ligoure stud farm in Haute-Vienne. The farm was initially run by Gabriel de Vanteaux (1779–1854), and then by his son Psalmet de Vanteaux (1822–1893).

The Prix Vanteaux was established in 1868, and it was originally run over 2,000 metres. It was abandoned because of the Franco-Prussian War in 1871. It was cancelled throughout World War I, with no running from 1915 to 1918.

The race was held at Maisons-Laffitte in 1944 and 1945. It was shortened to 1,950 metres in 1953. During the mid-1960s, it was contested over 1,850 metres (1963), 1,950 metres (1964) and 1,850 metres (1965–67). It was extended to 1,900 metres in 1968.

The present system of race grading was introduced in 1971, and the Prix Vanteaux was subsequently classed at Group 3 level. It was cut to 1,850 metres in 1987.

The event sometimes serves as a trial for the Prix de Diane. The last horse to win both races was Latice in 2004.

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