Under the term “obstacle” are gathered the three types of races requiring the horse to jump: the hurdle race, the steeplechase, and the cross-country. This type of competition derives from the hunting with hounds as it was practiced on the other side of the Channel. Riders who were used to hunting (hunt) would compete in a race from point to point (point-to-point). In pursuit (chase) of the set goal, usually the steeple of a village visible from afar, the competitors had to overcome natural obstacles along the way. This is how the name “steeple race” was most often used to designate the obstacle races practiced in France from 1830, in the Bièvre valley. Their first permanent venue was a tiny but charming racecourse, nestled in the park of La Marche, between Ville-d’Avray and Marnes-la-Coquette where, from 1851 to 1896, only obstacle races were held.
In 1854, 150 horses took part in various obstacle races held here and there in the middle of flat races. It was then that Napoleon III, having succeeded in embellishing the Bois de Boulogne, decided to develop the Bois de Vincennes, which was in a sad state, and wished to incorporate a racecourse dedicated to obstacle racing.
Jumping races: from Vincennes to Auteuil
This was done with the opening, on March 29, 1863, of the Vincennes racecourse entrusted to the “Société des steeple-chases de France” and presided over by Prince Joachim Murat, cousin of the emperor. Article I of the rules of the society: “To encourage the production and breeding of service and war horses through races”.
The obstacle quickly became popular: with the public because of the “dangers” that it generates, with the owners because of the “moderate prices” to form a stable and with the supporters of the thoroughbred horse of which one of them affirms in 1867: “For four years, the steeplechases have served to demonstrate in a more striking way than could the flat races, the immense quality of the thoroughbred horse… It is the best for this kind of tests, the one that makes the best distance and carries the weight better. This is due to his greater speed. The train being less tense for him than for his competitors, he makes less effort. (Journal Le Jockey, March 19, 1867)
The disaster of 1870 and the Commune left the Vincennes racecourse devastated and plunged the Société des Steeples into sleep. It awakened on November 1, 1873, no longer in eastern Paris, but in the west. Auteuil was the setting chosen to exhibit the obstacle races by the new president of the society, the Prince of Sagan, supported by a committee of twenty members from the “Cercle de la rue Royale”. The inauguration “in the most disastrous weather” allowed to admire the grandstand (sixteen years younger than the one of Longchamp) and to see “strong obstacles obviously… nothing frightening… too bad for the horses whose training is incomplete”.
Twelve meetings in 1874, twice that number in 1878, on Sundays not used by the Société d’Encouragement. From 1874, two major international events, the Grand Steeple-Chase of Paris (modelled on the main steeplechase across the Channel, its name was Grand National de France for the first two years) and the Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil. In both events, British victories (with Ms. Hungerford and Jackal), “greeted by warm cheers” reports Le Sport. Happy times! But from 1875, the waves of English assault are contained. Baron Finot and the Marquis de Saint-Sauveur will give to the French breeding 7 of its 12 victories in the first 20 editions of the Grand Steeple.
Baron Finot is the father of steeplechasing. In his domain of Fangé (near Vierzon), he trains his foals (all thoroughbreds) to jump from a young age and ensures that they earn money with the jumpers wearing his colors
(Brown coat, red hat). In any case, they are worth to him to occupy 23 times
(Between 1864 and 1898) the first rank of the owners.
Auteuil in celebration for a week! This was the dream of the Prince of Sagan, a dream that became reality in 1883 with the creation of the Prix des Drags, destined for the infortunes of the Grand Steeple and contested the following Friday. This “elegant day par excellence” had a long life, continuing until 1967. It took the events of 1968 to condemn elegance to death.
Thanks to the revenues provided by the Pari Mutuel from 1891, the Société des Steeples was able to improve its facilities at Auteuil. It had a pedestrian tunnel drilled under the track, provided more funds for its forty or so meetings (offering some 250 races) and subsidized obstacle races in the provinces. In 1892, it was the first society to grant premiums to breeders. In 1895, it created the President of the Republic Prize, a rich handicap, which became the star race of the spring.
Its two real worries came after the First World War. It was necessary to replace the Auteuil grandstands, which had become dilapidated, and to reinforce its obstacles “which the competitors could afford to hang up”. This was done in 1924, thanks to a loan taken out without any problem and the creation of the outdoor steeplechase track (with its ditch and fence rail) despite the grumbling of some trainers.
Jumping races: The advent of the A.Q.P.S. (other than thoroughbreds)
Two years later, a surprise: the President of the Republic Prize was won by Uncas, a half-blood. For the saddle horse breeders who were encouraged to produce the war horse needed before the First World War, it was an incentive to turn to the “saddle-race”. Improved, such a product can pretend to be a player on theaters of a higher level than that of the provincial cross-country, its current habitat.
The confirmation comes in 1967 when the Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil is won by Rivoli. He is a “French saddle”, son of Burgos (thoroughbred) and Idée Noire (half-blood). In his pedigree, a succession of thoroughbred stallions. This Rivoli would therefore be a thoroughbred in disguise! No. If it is made with the thoroughbred, main ingredient, essential to its making, it is different, it is really “other”. A.Q.RS. are not a breed of horse. They represent a type resulting from a permanent crossbreeding. This type is obtained by the continuous use of stallions with other capacities than the only quality shown in races, which remains necessary. These are the morphology adapted to the jumping and if possible good performances in obstacle. This recipe has proven itself. Since the end of the 70’s, the A.Q.RS. never cease to illustrate themselves at the highest level in Auteuil.
The show has not changed. The emotion is always there. The decor has been modified, as necessary. Stables and paddock moved because of the construction of the ring road, stands rejuvenated since 1968 and, everywhere, television screens projecting superb images of an unparalleled show. In the routine of the forty or so annual meetings at Auteuil and the three hundred or so races, there were rare surprises. In 1988, there was a surprise: a woman jockey, Beatrice Marie, piloted the winner of the Grande Course de Haies. Recently, the birch branches composing the hurdles have been replaced by plastic elements. It is denser, less ecological, and more economical. And since December 3, 2000, a life-size bronze statue of a horse has stood. On the base, an inscription : “Al Capone IL Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris 1997. Prix La Haye Jousselin 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999”. It Is an A.Q.P.S.
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