Thursday 17 October 2024
The Aga Khan Studs and France Galop are pleased to announce a new partnership that will see the racing and breeding operation of His Highness the Aga Khan take over an across-the-card sponsorship of Prix Jacques le Marois day during Deauville’s August racing festival.
The Group 1 Prix Jacques le Marois, which boasts prize money of €1 million, is one of the most competitive mile-long races in Europe. Each summer it attracts some of the best European milers, featuring over the years such champions as Miesque (in the colours of the Niarchos family, who sponsored this race for near 40 years), Dubawi, Goldikova, Kingman, Palace Pier and most recently Inspiral. The quality of this contest is recognised internationally, having been rated among the top two races over a mile on five occasions in the past six years.
The Aga Khan Studs will also sponsor the Gr.3 Prix François Boutin, the Listed Prix Nureyev and the Gr.3 Prix Lady O'Reilly – Prix Minerve, an event in which His Highness the Aga Khan holds the record as an owner, with 11 victories since 1966 including Zarshana and Candarliya.
The Prix Jacques le Marois will take place on Sunday 17th August in 2025, coinciding with the renowned Arqana August Yearling Sale.
Nemone Routh, French Racing Manager of the Aga Khan Studs, said: “His Highness and Princess Zahra Aga Khan are committed to supporting the French racing industry, with four of our stallions based at Haras de Bonneval: SIYOUNI, one of Europe’s leading sires, ZARAK, who is enjoying a meteoric rise, and our two young recruits, Cartier Champion Three-Year-Old VADENI and Group winning miler EREVANN.
“The Gr.1 Prix Jacques le Marois is one of the finest eight-furlong races in Europe. Its exceptional track record speaks for itself, and we are delighted to partner with France Galop to contribute to the promotion of this day, which occupies an essential place in the French racing calendar.”
Elie Hennau, Managing Director of France Galop, declared: “For more than 100 years, the Prix Jacques le Marois has been the epitome of talent and speed, becoming one of the summer highlights of the Deauville racing season. Each year, it attracts a very international audience and raises the profile of French racing. France Galop is proud to continue the history of this significant race in our racing calendar with a new prestigious partner, the Aga Khan Studs. This major event, as well as the other races on the card that day, are an absolute must for any racing enthusiast.
France Galop would like to take this opportunity to thank the Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard and the Niarchos family for their unwavering commitment to the Prix Jacques le Marois. Thanks to this exceptional partnership, the reputation of this challenge over the mile has gone from strength to strength. With our new partner, the Aga Khan Studs, we share the ambition to continue to grow the international renown of this outstanding competition.”
The Aga Khan Studs - which has farms in both France and in Ireland, where champion SEA THE STARS is based at Gilltown Stud – recently celebrated 100 years of its family-run operation. It has enjoyed a remarkable year on the track in 2024, thanks to the Classic victories of Oaks winner Ezeliya and Poule d'Essai des Pouliches winner Rouhiya. The stud is also renowned for its breeding stock sales, which each year offer the opportunity to acquire females from some of its finest families at Goffs and Arqana. In previous years the Aga Khan Studs have sponsored the Gr.1 National Stakes, while His Highness the Aga Khan was instrumental in the creation and support of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend through a partnership with Ciga Hotels.
