The Prix Eclipse is a Group 3

Conditions races

Conditions races are horse races where the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to; the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving...

 flat

Flat racing

Flat racing is a form of Thoroughbred horse racing which is run over a level track at a predetermined distance. It differs from steeplechase racing which is run over hurdles...

 horse race

Horse racing

Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...

 in France

France

The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...

 which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred

Thoroughbred

The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...

s. It is run at Chantilly

Chantilly Racecourse

Chantilly Racecourse is a Thoroughbred turf racecourse for flat racing in Chantilly, Oise, France, about north of the centre of the city of Paris....

 over a distance of 1,200 metres (about 6 furlongs), and it is scheduled to take place each year in October.

History

The event was established in 1891, and it was named in honour of the 18th-century racehorse Eclipse

Eclipse (horse)

Eclipse was an outstanding, undefeated 18th-century British Thoroughbred racehorse who was later a phenomenal success as a sire.-Breeding:...

. It was originally contested at Maisons-Laffitte

Maisons-Laffitte Racecourse

The Hippodrome de Maisons-Laffitte at 1 avenue de la Pelouse in the northwestern Parisian suburb of Maisons-Laffitte in France is a turf horse racing facility and track for Thoroughbred flat racing...

 over 1,200 metres, but its venue and distance have been subsequently changed many times. It was extended to 1,400 metres in 1905, and to 1,600 metres in 1908. The race was abandoned from 1914 to 1918 because of World War I

World War I

World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...

. The 1919 edition was contested over 1,500 metres.

The Prix Eclipse began a short spell at Saint-Cloud

Saint-Cloud Racecourse

Hippodrome de Saint-Cloud is a grass race course for Thoroughbred flat horse racing opened in 1901 at 1 rue du Camp Canadien in Saint-Cloud near Paris, France...

 in 1920, and at the same time it was cut to 1,300 metres. It returned to Maisons-Laffitte in 1923, and it was shortened to 1,200 metres in 1925.

The race was cancelled throughout World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

, with no running from 1939 to 1944. It was relaunched at Saint-Cloud in 1945, initially with a distance of 1,500 metres. This changed to 1,200 metres in 1946, 1,600 metres in 1947, and back to 1,200 metres in 1948. It was run over 1,300 metres at Maisons-Laffitte in 1954, but it returned to 1,200 metres at Saint-Cloud the following year. Its regular length was increased to 1,300 metres in 1966.

The Prix Eclipse has been staged at four different venues since 1994 – Deauville (1994–96), Saint-Cloud (1997–2000), Maisons-Laffitte (2001–03, 2005), and Chantilly (2004, 2006–09). The present distance, 1,200 metres, was introduced in 2001.

Records

Leading jockey

Jockey

A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...

 (4 wins):

• Léon Flavien – Ara (1956), Megare (1958), Bondolfi (1959), Belmont (1969)
• Freddy Head
  Freddy Head
  Freddy Head is a retired champion jockey in Thoroughbred horse racing and currently a horse trainer. Known also as "Freddie", his grandfather was a jockey as was his father Alec Head who also became a successful trainer and owner of Haras du Quesnay near Deauville...
  
   – Prompt (1965), Targowice (1972), Aerosol (1976), Breath Taking (1984)

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Leading trainer

Horse trainer

In horse racing, a trainer prepares a horse for races, with responsibility for exercising it, getting it race-ready and determining which races it should enter...

 (6 wins):

• William Webb – Tournesol (1892), Beatrix (1894), Croix du Sud (1900), La Lorelei (1901), Zingara (1903), Ossian (1908)

----
Leading owner (5 wins):

• Edmond Blanc – Rueil (1891), Manitou (1897), Adam (1904), Belle Fleur (1905), Sloughi (1913)

Winners since 1978

Year	Winner	Jockey	Trainer	Owner	Time
1978	Ramanouche	Jacques Heloury	François Mathet	HH Aga Khan IV Aga Khan IV Prince Karim, Aga Khan IV, NPk, NI, KBE, CC, GCC, GCIH, GCM is the 49th and current Imam of the Shia Imami Nizari Ismaili Muslims. He has held this position under the title of Aga Khan since July 11, 1957, when, at the age of 20, he succeeded his grandfather, Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan...
1979	Suvero	Philippe Paquet Philippe Paquet Philippe Paquet is a former jockey from France, who in 1974 was the winner of the Prix du Jockey Club on Caracolero, and the Gran Premio d'Italia on Ribecourt. In 1976, he also won the Irish Derby on Malacate, and the Irish Oaks on Lagunette....	François Boutin François Boutin François Boutin was a French Thoroughbred horse trainer. The son of a farmer, he was born in the village of Beaunay in the northerly Seine Maritime département. He began riding horses at a young age and competed in show jumping and cross-country equestrianism...	Gerry Oldham
1980	Phydilla	Alain Lequeux Alain Lequeux Alain Lequeux was one of France's leading jockeys in the 1970s and 1980s. He won 33 Group or Grade 1 races, including the 1981 Washington, D.C. International Stakes aboard Providential for trainer Charlie Whittingham. Son of leading French rider Guy Lequeux, he won more than 2,000 races while...	Olivier Douieb	Robert Sangster Robert Sangster Robert Edmund Sangster was a British businessman, thoroughbred racehorse owner and breeder. He was British flat racing Champion Owner five times and his horses won many major races, including two Epsom Derbys, four Irish Derbys, two French Derbys, three Prix de l'Arc de Triomphes and a Melbourne...
1981	Pas de Seul	Christy Roche Christy Roche Christy Roche is a retired champion Irish flat racing jockey.Over his thirty year career between 1968 and 1998 he won the Budweiser Irish Derby 3 times which he won in 1982, 1992 and 1997. His 1997 victory was on Desert King.-External links:*...	David O'Brien David O'Brien (racehorse trainer) David O'Brien is an Irish former racehorse trainer. He was the son of highly successful trainer Vincent O'Brien. His primary successes included Assert who won the 1982 Irish and French Derbys and Secreto who won the 1984 Epsom Derby, defeating El Gran Senor trained by his father Vincent, making...	Robert Sangster Robert Sangster Robert Edmund Sangster was a British businessman, thoroughbred racehorse owner and breeder. He was British flat racing Champion Owner five times and his horses won many major races, including two Epsom Derbys, four Irish Derbys, two French Derbys, three Prix de l'Arc de Triomphes and a Melbourne...
1982	Crystal Glitters	Alfred Gibert	Mitri Saliba	Mahmoud Fustok
1983	Diamada	Alfred Gibert	Georges Bridgland	Mrs Paul L. Hexter
1984	Breath Taking	Freddy Head Freddy Head Freddy Head is a retired champion jockey in Thoroughbred horse racing and currently a horse trainer. Known also as "Freddie", his grandfather was a jockey as was his father Alec Head who also became a successful trainer and owner of Haras du Quesnay near Deauville...	Criquette Head Criquette Head-Maarek Christiane "Criquette" Head is considered to be the leading female racehorse trainer in the world.Known as Criquette, she was born into the Thoroughbred horse racing business...	Robert Sangster Robert Sangster Robert Edmund Sangster was a British businessman, thoroughbred racehorse owner and breeder. He was British flat racing Champion Owner five times and his horses won many major races, including two Epsom Derbys, four Irish Derbys, two French Derbys, three Prix de l'Arc de Triomphes and a Melbourne...
1985	Beaujolaise	Maurice Philipperon Maurice Philipperon Maurice Philipperon is a noted French jockey who after retirement became president of the French jockeys' association.His winning rides in Gr. 1 and 2 races included:* the Prix Ganay in 1970, 1971 and 1980 on Grandier, Caro and Arctic Tern....	Dominique Sépulchre	Edouard Pouret
1986	Holst	Cash Asmussen Cash Asmussen Cash Asmussen is an American thoroughbred horse racing jockey. Born Brian Keith Asmussen, in 1977 he legally changed his name to "Cash". From a Texas horse racing family, his parents, Keith and Marilyn "Sis" Asmussen, operate a ranch in Laredo, Texas...	André Fabre André Fabre André Fabre is a French thoroughbred horse racing trainer.The son of a diplomat, Fabre graduated from university with a law degree but then decided to pursue a career in thoroughbred horse racing. He began by working in the stables as a groom then as a schooling rider...	Khalid Abdullah
1987	Radjhasi	Guy Guignard	Criquette Head Criquette Head-Maarek Christiane "Criquette" Head is considered to be the leading female racehorse trainer in the world.Known as Criquette, she was born into the Thoroughbred horse racing business...	Haras d'Etreham
1988	Lioubovnik	Eric Saint-Martin	François Boutin François Boutin François Boutin was a French Thoroughbred horse trainer. The son of a farmer, he was born in the village of Beaunay in the northerly Seine Maritime département. He began riding horses at a young age and competed in show jumping and cross-country equestrianism...	Mrs François Boutin	1:25.1
1989	Pole Position	Dominique Boeuf Dominique Boeuf Dominique Boeuf is a jockey in Thoroughbred flat racing. He began his career while still a teen and won his first race on 15 September 1984. Three years later, he got his first Group One win aboard Groom Dancer in the 1987 Prix Lupin...	André Fabre André Fabre André Fabre is a French thoroughbred horse racing trainer.The son of a diplomat, Fabre graduated from university with a law degree but then decided to pursue a career in thoroughbred horse racing. He began by working in the stables as a groom then as a schooling rider...	Daniel Wildenstein Daniel Wildenstein Daniel Leopold Wildenstein was a French art dealer and scholar, as well as a leading thoroughbred race horse owner and breeder....	1:24.6
1990	Crack Regiment	Tony Cruz Anthony S. Cruz Anthony S. "Tony" Cruz is a prominent horse trainer and former Champion Thoroughbred horse racing jockey.-Early life:Son of J. M. da Cruz, himself a well-known jockey, Tony Cruz is of Portuguese descent...	John Fellows	Robin Scully	1:23.2
1991	Cardoun	Dominique Boeuf Dominique Boeuf Dominique Boeuf is a jockey in Thoroughbred flat racing. He began his career while still a teen and won his first race on 15 September 1984. Three years later, he got his first Group One win aboard Groom Dancer in the 1987 Prix Lupin...	Elie Lellouche Elie Lellouche Elie Lellouche is a French trainer of Thoroughbred racehorses and jockeys.After having modest success as a jockey, in 1979 Lellouche obtained his horse trainer's license...	Edgard Zorbibe	1:21.0
1992	Elizabeth Bay	Steve Cauthen Steve Cauthen Steve Cauthen is a retired American jockey.Cauthen, the son of a trainer and a farrier, grew up in Walton, Kentucky around horses, which made race-riding a logical career choice. He rode his first race on May 12, 1976 at Churchill Downs; he finished last, riding King of Swat...	André Fabre André Fabre André Fabre is a French thoroughbred horse racing trainer.The son of a diplomat, Fabre graduated from university with a law degree but then decided to pursue a career in thoroughbred horse racing. He began by working in the stables as a groom then as a schooling rider...	Sheikh Mohammed Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum , also Sheikh Mohammed, , is the Prime Minister and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates , and absolute monarch of Dubai.-Personal life and education:...	1:23.8
1993	Wood of Binn	Frédéric Sanchez	John Hammond John E. Hammond John E. Hammond is a Thoroughbred horse trainer in France.Based in Chantilly, Oise, Hammond has trained numerous Group One winners including Montjeu and Suave Dancer both of whom won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, France's most prestigious horse race...	Henri Chalhoub	1:27.5
1994	Top Shape	Frédéric Sanchez	François Doumen François Doumen François Doumen is a French racehorse trainer currently based at Boucé, Orne. From 1956 to 1970 he was an amateur jockey, and he then worked as an assistant trainer to his father Jean. He obtained his own training licence in 1977....	John Killer	1:16.0
1995	Titus Livius	Cash Asmussen Cash Asmussen Cash Asmussen is an American thoroughbred horse racing jockey. Born Brian Keith Asmussen, in 1977 he legally changed his name to "Cash". From a Texas horse racing family, his parents, Keith and Marilyn "Sis" Asmussen, operate a ranch in Laredo, Texas...	Jonathan Pease Jonathan E. Pease Jonathan Edward Pease is a member of the area's prominent Pease family and a Thoroughbred racehorse trainer....	Stavros Niarchos Stavros Niarchos Stavros Spyros Niarchos was a Greek shipping tycoon, sometimes known as "The Golden Greek." In 1952, Stavros Niarchos built the first supertankers capable of transporting large quantities of oil, and subsequently earned millions of dollars as global demand for his ships increased.- Early life :He...	1:15.2
1996	Hurricane State	Walter Swinburn Walter Swinburn Walter R. Swinburn is a retired flat racing jockey who competed in Great Britain and Ireland as well as internationally.Swinburn was born in Oxford...	Peter Chapple-Hyam Peter Chapple-Hyam Peter Chapple-Hyam is a Thoroughbred racehorse trainer. He trained Dr Devious to win the Epsom Derby in 1992 and repeated the feat with Authorized in 2007. He managed two Group One wins in his first season as a trainer in 1991...	Robert Sangster Robert Sangster Robert Edmund Sangster was a British businessman, thoroughbred racehorse owner and breeder. He was British flat racing Champion Owner five times and his horses won many major races, including two Epsom Derbys, four Irish Derbys, two French Derbys, three Prix de l'Arc de Triomphes and a Melbourne...	1:19.4
1997	Merlin's Ring	Olivier Peslier Olivier Peslier Olivier Peslier is a thoroughbred horse racing jockey.Peslier competes in flat racing mainly in France but travels often around the world for the big international races....	Ian Balding Ian Balding Ian Balding emigrated with his family to England in 1945. He is the son of the polo player and racehorse trainer Gerald Barnard Balding, Sr. and the younger brother of trainer Toby Balding. Kingsclere became his home at the age of 26 and it is here that earned his reputation as an internationally...	Plummer & Partners	1:25.6
1998	Stella Berine	Sylvain Guillot Sylvain Guillot Sylvain Guillot is a French jockey. He is married to the sister of fellow jockey Yannick Fouin and has one son, Thomas.For three years from about 1987, Guillot did an apprenticeship with Jean-François Daubin at Maisons-Laffitte...	Pascal Bary Pascal Bary Pascal Bary is a French racehorse trainer.He has been training since 1981, having previously worked as an assistant to François Boutin...	Ecurie Stella Maris	1:22.7
1999	Perugina	Thierry Gillet Thierry Gillet Thierry Gillet is a top French jockey who won the 2004 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe aboard Bago, a thoroughbred race horse he has ridden in 14 of his career starts. In April 2009, at age 39, Gillet announced his retirement from racing, citing recurring weight problems...	Criquette Head Criquette Head-Maarek Christiane "Criquette" Head is considered to be the leading female racehorse trainer in the world.Known as Criquette, she was born into the Thoroughbred horse racing business...	Gerry Oldham	1:22.7
2000	Potaro	Gérald Mossé Gérald Mossé Gérald Mossé is a jockey in thoroughbred horse racing. He began riding professionally in April 1983 and his success during his apprenticeship under Patrick-Louis Biancone led to an offer to ride for renowned trainer François Boutin and his stable of horses belonging to Jean-Luc Lagardère...	Brian Meehan	Susan McCarthy	1:20.8
2001	Perrexa	Dominique Boeuf Dominique Boeuf Dominique Boeuf is a jockey in Thoroughbred flat racing. He began his career while still a teen and won his first race on 15 September 1984. Three years later, he got his first Group One win aboard Groom Dancer in the 1987 Prix Lupin...	David Smaga	Baron Thierry van Zuylen	1:16.5
2002	Zinziberine	Christophe Soumillon Christophe Soumillon Christophe Soumillon is a Belgian Thoroughbred horse racing jockey.-Career:Raised in a horse racing family, he is the son of a horse jumping jockey Jean-Marc Soumillon. Christophe Soumillon apprenticed at Chantilly Racecourse in Chantilly, France to Cédric Boutin, and won his first race in...	André Fabre André Fabre André Fabre is a French thoroughbred horse racing trainer.The son of a diplomat, Fabre graduated from university with a law degree but then decided to pursue a career in thoroughbred horse racing. He began by working in the stables as a groom then as a schooling rider...	Mrs André Fabre	1:08.6
2003	Bonaire	Davy Bonilla Davy Bonilla -Major wins: France* Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp - - Marchand d'Or * Prix du Cadran - - San Sebastian * Prix d'Ispahan - - Laverock * Prix Jacques Le Marois - - Tamayuz ...	Carlos Laffon-Parias	Africa Cuadra-Lores	1:15.3
2004	Tremar	Gary Carter	Terry Mills	T. Jacobs	1:11.2
2005	Damoiselle	Davy Bonilla Davy Bonilla -Major wins: France* Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp - - Marchand d'Or * Prix du Cadran - - San Sebastian * Prix d'Ispahan - - Laverock * Prix Jacques Le Marois - - Tamayuz ...	Freddy Head Freddy Head Freddy Head is a retired champion jockey in Thoroughbred horse racing and currently a horse trainer. Known also as "Freddie", his grandfather was a jockey as was his father Alec Head who also became a successful trainer and owner of Haras du Quesnay near Deauville...	Ghislaine Head Alec Head Alec Head was a prominent French horseman and breeder and the owner of Haras du Quesnay near Deauville. A descendant of the great trainers who founded the English Racing Colony in Chantilly, Oise, Head's grandfather was a jockey-turned-trainer, as was his father William Head who was a very...	1:10.7
2006	Iron Lips	Olivier Peslier Olivier Peslier Olivier Peslier is a thoroughbred horse racing jockey.Peslier competes in flat racing mainly in France but travels often around the world for the big international races....	Carlos Laffon-Parias	Wertheimer et Frère Wertheimer et Frère Wertheimer et Frère is a Thoroughbred horse racing and breeding business partnership between brothers Alain and Gerard Wertheimer of France.The Wertheimer brothers are the owners of the House of Chanel in Paris...	1:12.6
2007	Domingues	Declan McDonogh	Edward Lynam	Lady O'Reilly Chryss Goulandris Chryss Goulandris, Lady O'Reilly , also known as Christina or Chryssanthie, is one of the richest women associated with Ireland, and holds both USA and Greek citizenship, she owns a major horse breeding operation located in Ireland, France and other countries and has been Chairperson of the Irish...	1:13.4
2008	Smooth Operator	Andreas Helfenbein	Mario Hofer	Stall Jenny	1:13.0
2009	Eightfold Path	Stéphane Pasquier Stéphane Pasquier Stéphane Pasquier in Paris, France, is a flat racing jockey. In October 2006, he won the 85th Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe....	Pascal Bary Pascal Bary Pascal Bary is a French racehorse trainer.He has been training since 1981, having previously worked as an assistant to François Boutin...	Niarchos Family Stavros Niarchos Stavros Spyros Niarchos was a Greek shipping tycoon, sometimes known as "The Golden Greek." In 1952, Stavros Niarchos built the first supertankers capable of transporting large quantities of oil, and subsequently earned millions of dollars as global demand for his ships increased.- Early life :He...	1:13.8
2010	Split Trois	Christophe Lemaire Christophe Lemaire Christophe Patrice Lemaire is a French-born jockey. He takes his middle name from his father, who made a name for himself in the world of French handicap racing.In 1999 he obtained the licence required for a French jockey, and began racing...	Yves de Nicolay	Christian de Villeneuve	1:16.9

The 2004 winner Tremar was later exported to Hong Kong and renamed Imperial Applause.