10 May 2022
Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris: the ultimate superlative challenge
Sunday 22 May 2022 - Auteuil Racecourse
The Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris is one of the most challenging events in the sport of jump racing. This important race, which has been taking place for almost 150 years at the Auteuil racecourse, has all the elements to get the hearts beating. Not only those of the stars that line up at the start of this race, but also those of the spectators in the stand who will relish more than 7 minutes of racing, a 6 km record trip and 23 legendary jumps!
It is one of the only races where horses must clear the water jump in front of the stands twice. To get over it, they will have to produce an incredible 8-metre jump! Before coming into the final turn, runners and riders must also master the famous and impressive Rail Ditch and Fence, also known as the Justice of the Peace, because this is often where victory is decided!
To make it to the start of this legendary challenge, horses will have to prove their exceptional abilities over the course of their career, in training and at the Auteuil racecourse where they gain experience in major events. These equine champions are partnered by the best jump jockeys who often school them during training. The victory goes to the duo that is in complete harmony and where jockey and horse have found an understanding that is often formed during their schooling sessions in the morning.
Discover the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris trailer:
The culmination of the Grand Steeple-Chase Masters
This year, throughout the various legs of the Grand Steeple-Chase Masters, jump racing fans were invited to follow the progression of the equine stars as they prepared for the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris. A dedicated device was launched on the @FranceGalop's social networks featuring jump racing specialists journalist Charly Milpied and former jockey Jacques Ricou.
Also, following his victories in the Prix Troytown and the Prix Murat, two prep races that are part of the Grand Steeple-Chase Masters, the young champion Sel Jem (who carries the silks of the Papot Family) is eligible for the €150.000 bonus should he win the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris. And then he could go for the €75.000 bonus, which is given to the winner of the Grand Slam: Victories in 2 prep-races, a victory in the Grand Steeple-Chase and a victory in the Prix La Haye Jousselin!
The Auteuil track, an international benchmark
The Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris includes a number of spectacular jumps that have made the Auteuil racecourse an international benchmark. The Auteuil track is renowned for being very demanding. Horses need to have a combination of excellent skills. Not only do they have to master the different, often very technical jumps, they also have to maintain a very high cruising speed in between those jumps and then have enough energy to produce a sprint that will take them from the last jump to the finish-line, where they will celebrate their victory!
The best jump trainers in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris
The trainers who have dominated jump racing for years have every intention of bringing their A-game to the event. The François Nicolle yard and Hector de Lageneste and Guillaume Macaire training partnership are key professionals in the jump racing industry. Both stables are based in the Royan region and both are counting on having a starter in the race.
François Nicolle, Champion jump trainer since 2018, in fact is bound to have several starters in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris, one of the rare races that is still missing from his impressive record.
His neighbour, Guillaume Macaire, now training in partnership with Hector de Lagesneste, is expected to saddle the young Sel Jem, who has had everyone talking this spring. Sel Jem runs in the famous colours of the Papot Family, the current champion jump owners. Guillaume Macaire knows all about preparing horses for this great challenge as he has won this legendary race no less than six times already.
Guillaume Macaire and his champion Sel Jem - © ScoopDyga
WINNER OF THE GRAND STEEPLE-CHASE 2013, 2020 AND 2021, JOCKEY BERTRAND LESTRADE EXPLAINS WHAT IT TAKES TO JUMP SOME OF THE MOST FAMOUS OBSTACLES IN THE GRAND STEEPLE-CHASE DE PARIS
La Rivière des Tribunes (water jump): « A very complicated jump of at least 8 metres! »
Bertrand Lestrade : "What makes the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris so special is that you have to jump the Rivière des Tribunes twice! The jump itself is composed of a hurdle and behind it is a body of water. It requires a very complicated jump of at least 8 metres! The ground rises after the water and the jockey must be ready to help his horse when they get to the other side. He will try to get the horse to jump off as close as possible to the hurdle, because if the jump is a little short, his partner runs the risk of stumbling upon reception. If that occurs, the jockey must put his feet forward into the stirrups and lean back, which will help the horse recover and continue the race with the least possible loss of ground. The jump is special as it is just in front of the Auteuil grandstands and you can really feel how the crowd gets excited when you come past.”
The Rail Ditch and Fence: « Clearing the biggest jump on the racecourse is already a victory! »
Bertrand Lestrade : "What makes the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris so special is that you have to jump the Rivière des Tribunes twice! The jump itself is composed of a hurdle and behind it is a body of water. It requires a very complicated jump of at least 8 metres! The ground rises after the water and the jockey must be ready to help his horse when they get to the other side. He will try to get the horse to jump off as close as possible to the hurdle, because if the jump is a little short, his partner runs the risk of stumbling upon reception. If that occurs, the jockey must put his feet forward into the stirrups and lean back, which will help the horse recover and continue the race with the least possible loss of ground. The jump is special as it is just in front of the Auteuil grandstands and you can really feel how the crowd gets excited when you come past.”
Some of the jockeys to follow during the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris weekend at Auteuil
James REVELEY: Already a three-time winner of the Grand Steeple
James Reveley, 33, grew up in the north-east of England, very close to the sea. Racing is in his blood. His grandmother, the late Mary Reveley, was the most successful woman trainer in Britain, recording over 2000 winners. His father Keith was also a trainer.
He soon fell for the adrenaline rush of racing and obtained his jockey's licence at the age of 16. After learning the basics of the trade in his country, he decided to relocate permanently to France in 2015. He settled in the Charente-Maritime region at La Palmyre (next to the sea yet again!), where he teamed up with one of the top French jump trainers, Guillaume Macaire (who has saddled six Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris winners).
James quickly fell in love with French racing and success soon beckoned. He was crowned champion jump jockey in 2016 and again in 2021. He has also scored a hat-trick in the legendary Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris. He has won the legendary Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris over three consecutive years, in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Angelo ZULIANI: Champion jump jockey 2020
In 2020, at the age of only 20, Angelo Zuliani made a dramatic entrance into the world of jump racing. With more than 90 victories at the end of the 2020 season he was way ahead of the most experienced jockeys and hence secured the French jump jockey Championship for the first time.
He stands out on big race days thanks to his uncanny ability to always find the best position in a race, regardless of the complexity of the event. He flourished under the care of François Nicolle, one of the greatest jump trainers of his generation.
In fact, Nicolle didn’t hesitate to put up the talented Angelo Zuliani in the 2020 renewal of the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris where the young jockey nearly made history but in the end had to content with second place.
Gwen RICHARD: Looking forward to his first ride in the Grand Steeple
Gwen Richard also made quite an entrance when he first got involved in horse racing. In 2021, at the age of only 19, he won the prestigious Prix Cambacérès at the Auteuil track by 9 lengths with the François Nicolle trained Kyrov. It was his first ride in a Grade 1 race, the highest level in racing.
Today, Gwen Richard is one of the rising stars of the French jump racing scene. This year, he could well have his first ride in the legendary Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris that takes place on Sunday 22nd May at the Auteuil racecourse.
The Auteuil racecourse, a green space to discover
The Auteuil racecourse is ideally located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris. From its grandstands it offers a breath-taking view of the Eiffel Tower. For almost 150 years the track has been home to the champions of jump racing. When you come to Auteuil you are guaranteed a day filled with emotions and unbelievable thrills when watching these sporting giants, human and equine, perform right in front of you. The racecourse is directly accessible by metro from the "Porte d'Auteuil" station. It is on the Auteuil tracks, the temple of jump racing that the greatest champions are revealed!
There are two jump tracks at Auteuil:
Hurdle races include a minimum of 7 obstacles, which are called "hurdles". They are all 1.10m high.
Steeple-chase : The obstacles in a steeple-chase races are higher and more difficult to clear than hurdles and vary in type (walls, rivers, etc.). The track at Auteuil is particularly technical and renowned for its difficult obstacles like the Rail Ditch and Fence and La Rivière des Tribunes.
A weekend to experience with family and friends
During the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris weekend on Saturday 21 May and Sunday 22 May, there will be many different activities to pursue in the vast open-air spaces at the Auteuil racecourse.
As part of the "Samedis d'Auteuil", there is a variety of entertainment on offer and areas to relax are set up close to the track and at the heart of the racecourse where you can enjoy a drink and nibble on a variety of dishes. After the races, let yourself be carried away by the music and enjoy the scenery as the Auteuil racecourse is lit up by lanterns long into the night.
Sunday is a dedicated family day, a new way of combining racing with free entertainment, an event that takes place on 30 different dates throughout the season at the France Galop racecourses.
The entertainment is fun and educational, and ideal to share with the family: pony riding, pony cycle races, merry-go-round, bouncy castle, mascot pony to cuddle, introduction to racing EasyRacing, sack racing and a Pony Hop Race.
That weekend, there are two further activities for children. On Saturday and Sunday, kids at the Auteuil racecourse can put their names down to accompany a jockey as he/she enters the parade ring. On Sunday only, kids are invited to race on the Auteuil track. These activities are free.
*(Registration on the day, numbers are limited. Accompany a jockey: 6-year-olds and older. Kids’ race: from 4 years onwards.)
Throughout the weekend, the Auteuil racecourse plays host to a variety of restaurants and food outlets.
With friends or family, a day at the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris weekend means spending time in the open air, in a convivial atmosphere, whilst taking in the great spectacle that unfolds on the track!
The Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris is the challenge that gives its name to the weekend of Saturday, 21 and Sunday 22 May at the Auteuil racecourse. The program features 15 races of the highest level, which is an opportunity for the best jump horses and jockeys to prove their outstanding abilities.
France Galop Ticketing – Tickets on pre-sale here from 5 €: HERE
For further information on the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris, please go to www.grandsteeple.com