Prix Niel


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The Prix Niel is a Group 2 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres (about 1½ miles), and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.

The race serves as a trial for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, which is held at the same venue three weeks later.

History
A precursor of the race called the Prix de Chantilly was formerly staged at Chantilly in early September. It was open to horses aged three or older, and for a period its distance was 3,100 metres. It was subsequently transferred to Longchamp and run over 3,000 metres. It was shortened to 2,400 metres in 1952, and reduced to 2,300 metres in 1953.

The Prix de Chantilly was restricted to three-year-olds when a separate event was introduced for older horses in 1955. The new race was initially titled the Prix Henri Foy, and from this point the Prix de Chantilly was contested over 2,400 metres.

The race was cut to 2,000 metres in 1960, and restored to 2,400 metres the following year. It was switched to Chantilly in 1964, and returned to Longchamp with a length of 2,100 metres in 1966. It was extended to 2,200 metres in 1968.

The event was renamed in memory of Gaston Niel (1880–1970), a long-serving member of the Société d'Encouragement, in 1972. For several years the Prix Niel held Group 3 status. It was increased to 2,400 metres in 1979, and promoted to Group 2 level in 1987.

The Prix Niel became part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge series in 2010, with the winner earning an automatic invitation to compete in the Breeders' Cup Turf. It was removed from the series in 2012.

Twelve winners of the race have achieved victory in the same year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. The first was Sica Boy in 1954, and the most recent Rail Link in 2006.

Prix Niel is eligible for geldings from 2020. Due to the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic, 2020 Prix Niel are not run, and are replaced by the Grand Prix de Paris.

Records
Leading jockey since 1952 (4 wins):
 * Yves Saint-Martin – Nelcius (1966), Akarad (1981), Sagace (1983), Mouktar (1985)
 * Freddy Head – Taj Dewan (1967), Mississipian [sic] (1974), Gay Mecene (1978), Cariellor (1984)

Leading trainer since 1952 (11 wins):
 * André Fabre – Cariellor (1984), Trempolino (1987), Subotica (1991), Carnegie (1994), Housamix (1995), Sagamix (1998), Valixir (2004), Hurricane Run (2005), Rail Link (2006), Cavalryman (2009), New Bay (2015)

Leading owner since 1952 (5 wins):
 * HH Aga Khan IV – Akarad (1981), Mouktar (1985), Sinndar (2000), Dalakhani (2003), Behkabad (2010)

Earlier winners

 * 1952:
 * 1953: Shikampur
 * 1954: Sica Boy
 * 1955: Walhalla
 * 1956:
 * 1957: Amber
 * 1958: Upstart
 * 1959: Montrouge
 * 1960: Puissant Chef
 * 1961: Devon
 * 1962: Kistinie
 * 1963: Le Mesnil
 * 1964: Sigebert
 * 1965: Super Sam
 * 1966: Nelcius
 * 1967: Taj Dewan
 * 1968: Vaguely Noble
 * 1969: Belbury
 * 1970: Stintino
 * 1971: Arlequino
 * 1972: Hard to Beat
 * 1973: Dahlia
 * 1974: Mississipian [sic]
 * 1975: Anne's Pretender
 * 1976: Youth
 * 1977: Crystal Palace