Polytrack becomes the sponsor of a new all-weather challenge

Martin Collins, the manufacturer of Polytrack (PSF) all-weather racing surfaces from the Martin Collins Group, has become the sponsor of a new challenge held on fibresand, which will be called the “Polytrack Challenge”. The agreement has been signed with the Martin Collins Group for three years until the 2026 event.

“France Galop is proud to welcome Polytrack, a brand from the Martin Collins Group, as a partner of the new challenge held on Polytrack tracks (PSF),” announced Henri Pouret, deputy managing director at France Galop. “The Polytrack tracks installed by this specialist in all-weather surfaces are used by over 30 racecourses worldwide, including Deauville and Cagnes-sur-Mer in France, which both host stages of the Polytrack Challenge.”

This new challenge was presented by France Galop and the Côte d’Azur Racing Association on 10^th October.  

The first event of the new Polytrack Challenge is scheduled on Sunday, 5^th November 2023, at Deauville racecourse. The two finals of this challenge, in the Intermediate/Classic category and Speed/Mile category, will be held on 27^th January 2024 and 11^th February 2024, respectively, at Cagnes-sur-Mer racecourse. These finals of the Polytrack Challenge will be the high points of the racecourse’s winter flat meeting.

Within the framework of this three-year partnership, the Martin Collins Group will promote the Polytrack brand, and the Polytrack Challenge races will carry its name. Polytrack will reward the entourage of the winning teams at the two finals in Cagnes-sur-Mer.

Mr Ajay Anne, Chairman of the Martin Collins Group, said, “As the world’s leading supplier of all-weather racing surfaces, we are delighted to allow horses, jockeys and trainers to compete on our top-of-the-range racing surfaces. We are eager to experience the Polytrack Challenge and our partnership with France Galop."

The “POLYTRACK Challenge”

Cagnes-sur-Mer racecourse joined France Galop in creating the Polytrack Challenge as the host of the two finals.

Six winter Listed races run on Polytrack are being included in this challenge, with two bonus prizes up for grabs:  

• A bonus for the horse that scores the most points in events ranging from 7 furlongs to a mile: Speed/Mile category.
• A bonus for the horse that scores the most points in events ranging from a mile and 1 ½ furlongs to a mile and a half: Intermediate/Classic category.

The three Listed races selected for each category are as follows:

Speed/Mile category

Intermediate/Classic category

Points scale for the “Polytrack Challenge”

There is also a total €40,000 prize bonus for the owners of the two horses that scored the most points in each category: €30,000 to the first and €10,000 to the second.