A Celebration Set of Racing Plates
There would have been 9 plates of which this is No. 9
They celebrate 9 racecourses, and each one with its celebrated race.
Each racecourse would have had its favoured race marked on the top left hand side,
Auteuil,
La Croix de Berny ws first run in 1880, and has been rechristened Prix la Haye Jousselin in 1903 in memory of Edmond de La Haye Jousselin (1839-1903) He graduated from the Saint-Cyr Military Academy in 1859 as a sub lieutenant in the 1st Hussars. After two campaigns in Africa, he returned to civvy street and trained and rode racehorses. He was one of the founding members of the Société des Steeple-Chases de France in 1873.Run at Auteuil in November it is a Grand Steeple-Chase, group 1 for 5 year olds and upwards.
The courses are Deauville, Enghien, St Ouen, Longchamp, Caen, Auteuil, La Marche, Chantilly.
La Marche, the racecourse of Jean Gabin located in Moulins La Marche, dept Orme.
Longchamp the first race run was 27th April 1857. It is famous for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. 2400 metres, fillies and colts only.
Deauville, La Touques dates back to1862 and was constructed by duc de Morny, half brother of Napoleon lll.
Vincennes, dates back to 1863 and rebuilt in 1879 after being destroyed n the Franco- Prussian War. It is devoted to harness racing and mounted trotters.
1873 100,000 people attend the races
1852 100,000 francs of allowances distributed
Chantilly the first race was held on 15th May 1834 the grandstand was built in 1879. It is famous for the Prix de Diane.
Caen, The Grand Prix de Caen; it is for trottng races only. Said to be one of the oldest racecourses in France
Enghien, Opened in 1879, mostly galloping, but has some trotting races on an all-weather track.
In 1824 26 trotting races were contested in France
St Ouen, established in 1894 the present racecourse was built at Les Landes, La Route de Grosnez, St Oeun.
More information can be found on the France Galop website.