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14-668: The race usually features horses which also compete in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris , the most prestigious steeplechase in France. There are twenty-two obstacles to be jumped, and the most notorious of these is the Rail-Ditch and Fence (the Juge de Paix ). The event was established in 1880, and it was originally called the Prix de la Croix de Berny. It was initially contested over 6,000 metres, and it

28-716: A subsequent winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup , and Al Capone II , a repeat winner in the 1990s. The latter achieved the extraordinary feat of winning the race seven times in successive years from 1993 to 1999. Many winners have also achieved victory in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris, which is held at the same venue in late May. The most recent of these is Remember Rose , the winner of the latter event in 2009. Leading jockey (8 wins): Leading trainer (9 wins): Leading owner (8 wins): Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris The Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris

42-402: Is a Group 1 steeplechase in France which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Auteuil over a distance of 6,000 metres, and during its running there are twenty-three fences to be jumped. It is the richest and most prestigious jumps race in France, and it is scheduled to take place each year in late May. The event was first run on 25 May 1874, and it was initially known as

56-576: The Grand National de France . It was intended to be the French equivalent of the Grand National , a famous steeplechase in England. It was originally a handicap race , and it was open to horses aged four or older. The inaugural running was contested over 6,400 metres, and this was cut to 6,000 metres in its second year. The race was given its present title, the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris , in 1876. Its distance

70-704: The Grand National. Twelve foreign-trained horses have won, the latest of which was Mandarin in 1962, trained in England by Fulke Walwyn . The most recent foreign contender to finish in second place was the Irish-trained Captain Christy in 1975. The only American owner to win the race was Magalen O Bryant. She won the race 3 years in a row . 2015-2017 Leading jockey (5 wins): Leading trainer (7 wins): Leading owner (6 wins): Captain Christy Captain Christy (foaled 1967)

84-483: The construction of its obstacles. He later became the vice-chairman, a position he occupied until his death. The Prix La Haye Jousselin was abandoned throughout World War I , with no running from 1914 to 1918. It was cancelled once during World War II , in 1939. It was cut to 4,500 metres in 1940, and it was restored to 5,500 metres in 1941. Notable winners of the Prix La Haye Jousselin include The Fellow ,

98-417: The penalty was gradually reduced until it was eventually discontinued. The Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris was abandoned throughout World War I, with no running from 1915 to 1918. Its length was increased to 6,900 metres in 1924, and then restored to 6,500 metres in 1926. During World War II it was cancelled only once, in 1940. The minimum age of participating horses was raised to five in 1941. The race's distance

112-521: The previous year's winner, The Dikler, by five lengths despite making a mistake at the last fence. Later that year he won his first King George VI Chase when, ridden by Bobby Coonan, he easily beat the outstanding three-mile chaser Pendil , who had won the race in 1972 and 1973. In 1975 Captain Christy finished a close second under top-weight in the Whitbread Gold Cup giving over two stone in weight to

126-456: Was a champion Irish-bred and Irish-trained hurdler and steeplechaser who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup as a novice . In spite of a tendency to make mistakes, Captain Christy was an outstanding hurdler and one of the best steeplechasers of all time. He was the top-rated steeplechaser in Great Britain and Ireland for three successive seasons, 1972–73 to 1975–76. His most outstanding performance

140-448: Was cut to 5,600 metres in 1893. It was given its present title in 1903, and at the same time it was shortened by 100 metres. Its new title was in memory of Edmond de La Haye Jousselin (1839–1903), a founding member of the Société des Steeple-Chases de France . As a steward and administrator of this organisation, La Haye Jousselin assisted with the design of Auteuil's racetracks, and he oversaw

154-406: Was extended to 6,500 metres in 1889. The race ceased to be a handicap in 1890, when a fixed " weight-for-age " system was introduced. Four-year-old horses were required to carry 62½ kg, five-year-olds 70 kg and older horses 72½ kg. A penalty of 6 kg was incurred on the previous winners of either this race or the Grand National. The basic weights were subsequently modified several times, and

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168-403: Was his 30-length win over Bula and other top horses in the 1975 King George VI Chase at Kempton Park ; this is regarded as one of the greatest ever steeplechasing performances. Gerry Newman rode him in that race, but for most of his other successes his jockeys were Bobby Beasley and Bobby Coonan. Throughout his career, Captain Christy was trained by Pat Taaffe , and that victory over Bula

182-446: Was reduced to 6,300 metres in 1969, but it returned to 6,500 metres in 1971. The present format, 5,800 metres with twenty-three fences, was introduced in 1981. The three most successful horses in the race's history are Hyeres III, Katko and Mid Dancer, who have all recorded three victories. A further ten have won the event twice, most recently Docteur de Ballon in 2020 and 2021. Two winners, Jerry M and Troytown , also achieved victory in

196-482: Was the second time he had beaten the dual Champion Hurdle winner; he had also outgalloped him when winning the 1972 Irish Sweeps Hurdle when the race was a championship (non-handicap) event. He finished third in that year's Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham before winning the Scottish equivalent. Captain Christy's most important success came in the 1974 Cheltenham Gold Cup when, as a novice ridden by Bobby Beasley, he beat

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