Prix Messidor
History
The event was established in 1949, and it was originally held at Saint-Cloud. It was initially called the Prix de Messidor, a name derived from messis, the Latin word for "harvest". The present title, without the "de", was introduced in 1955.For a period the race was switched between Maisons-Laffitte and Saint-Cloud. It began a longer spell at Maisons-Laffitte in 1973.
The race was transferred to Deauville in 1997. It returned to Maisons-Laffitte in 2005.
Records
Most successful horse :
- Catilina – 1962, 1963
Leading jockey :
- Yves Saint-Martin – Catilina, Cripton, Irish Minstrel, Tassmoun, Ya Zaman
Leading trainer :
- André Fabre – Mille Balles, Fitzwilliam Place, Mill Native, Polish Precedent, Acteur Francais, Fanmore, Neuilly, Dansili, Valixir, Intello, Fractional, Vadamos, Impulsif
Leading owner :
- Aga Khan IV – Cripton, Tassmoun, Valixir, Alnadana
Winners since 1978
The 2019 running moved to Deauville during unsafely track.The 2021 running moved to Chantilly due to the closure of Maisons-Laffitte.
The 2022 running moved to Chantilly due to the closure of Maisons-Laffitte
The 2023 running moved to Chantilly due to the closure of Maisons-Laffitte.
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