Owning a horse in France has many benefits, in particular the excellent prizemoney on offer and wide range of racecourses means that horses are much more likely to cover costs than in England or Ireland.
The Benefits
The main benefits of having a horse racing in France include:
- No entry fees unless withdrawn at a late stage
- Excellent fillies and mares programme
- Prizemoney to fifth place and in some races seventh place
- All horse transport to the race meetings subsidised by France Galop up to €3,000 per annum
- Average prize money per race of €28,000
- No gallop fees for 2 years-old until 1 April
Owner’s Premiums
Probably the biggest advantage of racing in France are the very generous Owners’ Premiums for horses that finish in the first five places in any race (first seven in certain flat races) on top of the prize money won:
– 80% of prize money won for 2 and 3 years-old
– 55% of prize money won for 4 and 5 years-old
– 45% of prize money for 6 years-old and older
In short, France Galop pay an additional 80% on top of the prize money if your 2 or 3 years-old horse comes in the first five (or, in certain races, the first seven) places. To put this in context, a 2 or 3 years-old that wins a Maiden will on average earn €24,300 (€13,500 prizemoney plus €10,800 in premiums). French Owner’s Premiums are available where the horse qualifies under French Galops’ rules at the relevant time.