History
The event is named after the 18th-century racehorse Eclipse. It was established in 1891, and was originally contested at Maisons-Laffitte over 1,200 metres. It was extended to 1,400 metres in 1905, and to 1,600 metres in 1908.
The race was abandoned throughout World War I, with no running from 1914 to 1918. It was run over 1,500 metres in 1919. It was transferred to Saint-Cloud and cut to 1,300 metres in 1920. It returned to Maisons-Laffitte in 1923, and reverted to 1,200 metres in 1925.
Due to World War II, the Prix Eclipse was cancelled from 1939 to 1944. It resumed at Saint-Cloud with a distance of 1,500 metres in 1945. It was contested over 1,200 metres in 1946, and 1,600 metres in 1947. A new period over 1,200 metres began in 1948.
The race was run over 1,300 metres at Maisons-Laffitte in 1954. It returned to its previous length at Saint-Cloud in 1955. It was restored to 1,300 metres in 1966.
The Prix Eclipse was staged at Deauville from 1994 to 1996, and Saint-Cloud from 1997 to 2000. It was switched to Maisons-Laffitte and shortened to 1,200 metres in 2001.
In recent years, the race has had spells at Maisons-Laffitte (2001–03, 2005, 2010–11) and Chantilly (2004, 2006–09, 2012).
Read more about this topic: Prix Eclipse
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