As the major events of the season approach, a closer look at the sometimes astronomical amounts that champions and their connections pocket.
Each year, France's major horse races attract the attention of racing fans and horse racing professionals. Behind the spectacle and adrenaline, one question preoccupies many observers: how much do winners of these prestigious events really earn?
Prize money varies considerably depending on the nature of the race. Listed races and Group III events offer more modest stakes, typically ranging between €20,000 and €50,000 for the winner. At the other end of the spectrum, Group I races, such as the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe or the Prix du Jockey Club, offer substantially more substantial rewards, potentially exceeding one million euros for the grand winner.
It should be noted that these sums do not return in full to the owner of the victorious horse. A significant share is intended for trainers, jockeys in the form of bonuses, as well as for the originating stud farms for breeding stallions. Stakes are generally distributed according to a specific scale, with percentages allocated up to fourth or fifth place.
Beyond the prize money directly related to the race, winners of the biggest events often benefit from substantial valuations for their future breeding career. A horse that excels in a Group I race sees its value increase considerably, whether for covering duties or for auction sales.
The financial stakes partly explain the intensity of the competition and the strategies deployed by professionals to prepare their charges for the most lucrative events on the French racing calendar.
Prize money varies considerably depending on the nature of the race. Listed races and Group III events offer more modest stakes, typically ranging between €20,000 and €50,000 for the winner. At the other end of the spectrum, Group I races, such as the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe or the Prix du Jockey Club, offer substantially more substantial rewards, potentially exceeding one million euros for the grand winner.
It should be noted that these sums do not return in full to the owner of the victorious horse. A significant share is intended for trainers, jockeys in the form of bonuses, as well as for the originating stud farms for breeding stallions. Stakes are generally distributed according to a specific scale, with percentages allocated up to fourth or fifth place.
Beyond the prize money directly related to the race, winners of the biggest events often benefit from substantial valuations for their future breeding career. A horse that excels in a Group I race sees its value increase considerably, whether for covering duties or for auction sales.
The financial stakes partly explain the intensity of the competition and the strategies deployed by professionals to prepare their charges for the most lucrative events on the French racing calendar.
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Source: Ouest-France