ENGLISH TEXTS
pecially known for its steeplechase and cross-country races, with three meetings per year. This summer, the events will take place on August 24 and 25( featuring two steeplechases, two cross-country races, and two trotting races), and the Grand Prix Day on September 8. The Malleville Racecourse, run by a dedicated team of volunteers, was the first in Brittany to earn the EquuRES label, a sign of its commitment to animal welfare and environmental stewardship.
STAGE 6 La Gacilly for a Cultural Stopover This charming rural racecourse in Morbihan will host two mixed-race days on Sunday, July 6 and 20. Established in 1870, this racecourse— called“ Le Pré-Naval”— has the unusual trait of being submerged under water every winter! If you attend, take the opportunity to visit the La Gacilly Photo Festival, which features large-scale outdoor photo exhibits along a scenic walking trail. This year’ s theme?“ So British”.
STAGE 7 Landivisiau, Capital of the Breton Horse In the heart of Landivisiau, Finistère, you won’ t find a statue of Napoleon or any other famous historical figure. Instead, the town honors Paotr Mad, a Breton draft horse! The Place Jeanne d’ Arc, where the impressive statue stands, is affec- tionately known as“ Horse Square.” Paotr Mad is the symbol of Landivisiau, the historic cradle of Breton horse breeding. The Croas-al-Leuriou Racecourse hosts five meetings from May to October, across all three disciplines.
� PAGE 46
BACK TO THE ARTICLE �
By Serge Okey
CENTRAL AND SOUTHWESTERN REGION
STAGE 8 Montluçon Just north of Vichy, the Montluçon- Néris les Bains racecourse offers the full trifecta: trotting, flat racing, and jumps. Nestled beside the Château de Saint- Jean, it’ s renowned for the quality of its turf. Old-timers recall how, in the 1960s, Léon Zitrone used to take the microphone here before a massive crowd. The Green Trophy stops here“ every other year, alternating with Aix-les-Bains,” explains president Jean- Charles Schill. It’ s the highlight of the season, which includes five spring meetings( two flat, three trotting). The venue has two grass tracks, both right-handed: one is 1,327 meters with a 350-meter home stretch for flat and trotting; the other is 3,500 meters for steeplechase, featuring“ live hedges, Bre- ton banks, water jumps, fences, bull-finches, and a movable hurdle at the final passage.” Located in Montluçon’ s upscale district, the racecourse also contains a football and multisports field. A more exotic feature: Montluçon is one of the stages in the French Camel Racing Cup.
Food: Menus include rabbit terrine with hazelnuts, meat pâté, and tart by the 2024 French champion of almond galette. At Château de Saint-Jean: gourmet dining( in a chapel) and bistro. House specialties by chef Olivier Valade include Cézallier Fario trout, Bourbonnais AOP chicken, and foie gras potau-feu.
STAGE 9 Grenade-sur-Garonne In Haute-Garonne, between the Cépière and Beaumont-de-Lomagne racecourses, lies the Grenade track, affectionately called Marianne. In rugby country, this 12-hectare venue manages to fit in nine annual race days on the southwestern calendar. Flat racing has given way to trotting, the cinder track has been replaced by Garonne river sand, and the floodlights for night races were switched off back in the‘ 90s. Yet Marianne celebrated her 60 th birthday in 2022. Its 1,175-meter track is a left-hander— rare for the region. New racecourse president Philippe Joubioux describes this oak-lined park as“ rustic, quirky, and
135 # 10