Prix Messidor

Turf race infobox
class = Group 3
horse race = Prix Messidor


caption =
location = Maisons-Laffitte
France
inaugurated = 1949
race type = Thoroughbred - Flat race
website = [http://www.france-galop.com/All-the-races.233+M52087573ab0.0.html?&course_id=1567&no_cache=1&numero_id=149 France-Galop.com]
distance = 1,600 metres (1 mile)
track = Turf, straight
qualification = Three-years-old and up
weight = 54 kg (3yo); 57½ kg (4yo+)
Allowances
1½ kg for fillies and mares
Penalties
4 kg for Group 1 winners *
4 kg if two Group 2 wins *
3 kg if one Group 2 win *
3 kg if two Group 3 wins *
2 kg if one Group 3 win *
* "since January 1"
purse = €80,000 "(2008)"
Distribution
1st: 50%, 2nd: 20%, 3rd: 15%
4th: 10%, 5th: 5%
bonuses = The Prix Messidor is a Group 3 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds which are three-years-old or above. It is run over a distance of 1,600 metres (approximately 1 mile) at Maisons-Laffitte Racecourse and takes place annually in July.

It was first run in 1949 at Saint-Cloud as the Prix de Messidor, a name derived from the Latin word "messis", which means "harvest". The present version of the title, without the "de", was first used in 1955.

With the exception of four years when it was not run (1952, 1957–59), the race continued at its original venue until 1962. It then switched regularly between Saint-Cloud and Maisons-Laffitte before a more prolonged period at the latter racecourse began in 1973.

In 1997 the Prix Messidor moved to Deauville, where it remained until returning to Maisons-Laffitte in 2005. The distance of the race has stayed the same throughout its history.

Records

Leading jockey (6 wins):
* Yves Saint-Martin – "Catilina (1962, 1963), Cripton (1964), Irish Minstrel (1969), Tassmoun (1980), Ya Zaman (1981)"----Leading trainer (9 wins):
* André Fabre – "Mille Balles (1984), Fitzwilliam Place (1987), Mill Native (1988), Polish Precedent (1989), Acteur Francais (1991), Fanmore (1993), Neuilly (1997), Dansili (1999), Valixir (2005)"----Leading owner (3 wins):
* Jorge de Atucha – "Phlox (1954), Catilina (1962, 1963)"
* HH Aga Khan IV – "Cripton (1964), Tassmoun (1980), Valixir (2005)"
* Paul de Moussac – "Pampabird (1983), Mill Native (1988), Acteur Francais (1991)"

Winners since 1980

Earlier winners

* 1949 - Beverly
* 1950 - Philactis
* 1951 -
* 1952 - "no race"
* 1953 - Pomare
* 1954 - Phlox
* 1955 - Chargeur
* 1956 - Cigalon
* 1957–59 - "no race"
* 1960 - Fin Bec

* 1961 - Pen Mane
* 1962 - Catilina
* 1963 - Catilina
* 1964 - Cripton
* 1965 - Red Slipper
* 1966 - Agy
* 1967 - Morris Dancer
* 1968 - Fisc
* 1969 - Irish Minstrel
* 1970 - Brabant

* 1971 - Joshua
* 1972 - Arosa
* 1973 - Martinmas
* 1974 - El Toro
* 1975 - Son of Silver
* 1976 - Dona Barod
* 1977 - Malecite
* 1978 - Cosmopolitan
* 1979 - American Prince

References

* [http://www.france-galop.com/All-the-races.233+M52087573ab0.0.html?&course_id=1567&no_cache=1&numero_id=149 France-Galop.com]
* [http://www.pedigreequery.com/index.php?search_bar=stakes&query_type=stakes&field=view&id=757 PedigreeQuery.com]
* Racing Post:
** [http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/result.sd?&race_id=92150&r_date=1988-7-17 1988] , [http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/result.sd?&race_id=96237&r_date=1989-7-16 1989] , [http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/result.sd?&race_id=100728&r_date=1990-7-15 1990] , [http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/result.sd?&race_id=105586&r_date=1991-7-16 1991] , [http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/result.sd?&race_id=110164&r_date=1992-7-7 1992] , [http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/result.sd?&race_id=115190&r_date=1993-7-6 1993] , [http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/result.sd?&race_id=120609&r_date=1994-7-15 1994] , [http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/result.sd?&race_id=125861&r_date=1995-7-11 1995] , [http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/result.sd?&race_id=206163&r_date=1996-7-17 1996] , [http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/result.sd?&race_id=241578&r_date=1997-7-13 1997]
** [http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/result.sd?&race_id=255237&r_date=1998-7-12 1998] , [http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/result.sd?&race_id=270332&r_date=1999-7-10 1999] , [http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/result.sd?&race_id=284664&r_date=2000-7-8 2000] , [http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/result.sd?&race_id=304124&r_date=2001-7-7 2001] , [http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/result.sd?&race_id=319932&r_date=2002-7-6 2002] , [http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/result.sd?&race_id=336842&r_date=2003-7-13 2003] , [http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/result.sd?&race_id=356063&r_date=2004-7-11 2004] , [http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/result.sd?&race_id=389778&r_date=2005-7-24 2005] , [http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/result.sd?&race_id=414338&r_date=2006-7-23 2006] , [http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/result.sd?&race_id=437953&r_date=2007-7-22 2007]
** [http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/result.sd?&race_id=463230&r_date=2008-7-19 2008]
* [http://galop.courses-france.com/plat/courses/Prix-Messidor-1980-2009.php galop.courses-france.com]

ee also

* List of French flat horse races
* " – this race is included under its original title, Prix de Messidor."