CHOOSE "TROTTEUR FRANCAIS"
Key figures
Key figures
Here are the key figures for the trotting industry in France :
11 109 trotting races organised in 213 racecourses over France, on the occasion of 1 480 racing days.
€ 258 101 000 : money allocated, an average of € 23 234 per race.
143 150 runners with 16 186 different horses and 12,89 horses per race.
4 470 foals and fillies qualified.
1 421 trainers for 16 346 horses an average of 11,36 horses per training unity.
2 374 people hold a licence to ride, among which 640 ‘amateurs’.
5 117 owners and 5 495 breeders.
8 886 « Trotteur Français » offsprings born in 2024 registered in the « Trotteur Français » Stud-Book.
12 341 « Trotteur Français » broodmares covered by 362 stallions.
€ 31 006 227 offered as bredeer’s premium.
1.027 races organised and € 4 023 292 distributed exclusively to "Trotteur Français" in 16 different countries.
Breed in France
Breed in France
A unique breeders’ premiums system: French Racing industry supports breeding by distributing breeders’ premiums. When a Trotteur Français (French trotter) has a prizemoney in a race in France, a breeder's premium of 12.5% of the prize money is automatically paid to the breeder. More than €31,006,000 are distributed to breeders in the form of bonuses.
There is also a selection bonus awarded during selection competitions to fillies that have obtained a score of 65 or higher, according to the scoring grid. The annual bonus (€500 in 2025) is awarded to mares eligible for this bonus that are admitted to breeding, are under 19 years of age and have given birth to a TF product during the current year.
More than 360 "Trotteur Français" stallions are available each year. You can find the list of stallions by clicking here
More than 1 in 2 trotters born in Europe is a "Trotteur Français" horse.
Morphologically, the "Trotteur Français" horse is a powerful animal with a unique characteristic among trotters worldwide: they can race both in harness race and mounted race. It runs distances ranging from 1,609 metres (one mile) to 4,150 metres. Among the four major trotter breeds in the world, the "Trotteur Français" horse is in a class of its own. The most complete of all, it can compete with American speed specialists over a mile (1,609 metres) and remains the best over marathon distances of 3,000 metres and above.
Since more than 20 years, the Société du Trotteur Français has been dealing with the development of the ‘Trotteur Français’ breed at an International scale. The aim is to enhance the ’Trotteur Français’ breed abroad by promoting breeding and «Trotteur Français" out of France. Thanks to an international development policy, the "Trotteur Français" horse is now present in most countries and regions where trotting exists: the United States, Canada, Scandinavia, Italy, Australia, etc.
Invest in France
Invest in France
The French industry offers numerous advantages for those wishing to become owners or breeders in France.
In fact, more than 11,000 races are organised each year at over 200 racecourses with different characteristics (distance, track, surface, etc.). The average prize money per race is 23.243 euros.
More than 1,420 trainers offer their services and can meet your needs.
If you want to buy a horse, various options are available:
1.Auction sales : there are different sales organisers which are :
- Arqana Trot : here
- Auctav : here
- Caen Sales : here
- Osarus Trot : here
- Association des Eleveurs de Trot du Centre Est: here
Several auctions of yearlings, horses in training and broodmares are held throughout the year.
Find the auction schedule at the bottom of this paragraph.
2.Claiming races:
It is possible to purchase a horse during a claiming race. At the end of one of these races, bids can be submitted using a ballot paper placed in a box provided for this purpose. The highest bid wins the horse.
Payment for any horse purchased must be made immediately to the representative of the Société du Trotteur Français or guaranteed to the satisfaction of the Race Stewards within fifteen minutes of the opening of bids, failing which the purchase shall be void and, if there are several written bids for that horse, it shall belong to the person who made the next lowest bid.
Click here to view the schedule of claiming races.
3.Seek professional advice:
You can also ask a broker who specialises in trotters for advice or choose a trainer who will then assist you with your purchases.
Association of brokers: click here
Association of trainers: click here
A dedicated team at the Société du Trotteur Français can assist you with the process. Contact us by email at international@letrot.com or on +33 (0)1 49 77 14 90.
Race&Train in France
Race&Train in France
The French industry offers numerous opportunities for foreign professionals.
1.Racing in France
If you would like your horses to race in France, please send us an email at international@letrot.com and we will send you all the information you need.
You will find the forms at the bottom of this paragraph:
- a form to register a horse
- a form to declare a withdrawal
- a form to declare a starter
You will also need to ask your federation to email licences@letrot.com forfeit lists for the trainer, the owner, the driver certifying that you have a licence, as well as a forfeit list for the horse.
You will also need to create an Infonet account to access a wealth of information and register your horse directly online.
You will find the instructions to follow at the bottom of this paragraph.
2.Winter meeting at Paris-Vincennes racecourse
Every year from November to March, the winter meeting takes place at Paris-Vincennes racecourse. Why should you try the French experience ?
It is a meeting place for professionals from all over the word during 4 months of intense competition and a unique setting for the horse's entourage in Paris.
3.Grosbois training center :
Located 3km outside of Boissy Saint-Léger and 15 km from Vincennes racecourse, the international training center of Grosbois offer you different sizes of training establishments, more than 1.500 stalls, several tracks including, 1.500 m circular track, 2 circulars tracks of 1.000 m, 4 straight tracks (2 of 1.200 m& 2 of 1.000 m), a 400 m covered track, 40 km of horse trails and many paddocks.
If you would like to rent boxes during the winter meeting, please send us an email at international@letrot.com as early as possible.
You will find the form at the bottom of this paragraph.
4. Racing program
If you have access to Infonet, you can consult the racing program directly and use the decision-making tool.
If you do not have access to Infonet, you can send us an email at international@letrot.com.
Sale in France
Sale in France
Every year, numerous auctions are held in France, particularly for yearlings.
The French market is active and many consignors based in France now offer preparation for yearling sales.
Find below a list of sales agencies :
Find a list of professionals who offer preparation and presentation services for yearling sales below.
Work in France
Work in France
28% of jobs in the equestrian sector are generated by horse racing, more than 18,400 people work in the horse racing industry and 53% of companies recruit on permanent contracts.
Numerous positions are available throughout the year.
Would you like to come and work in France but don't know who to contact?
Equiressources offers a platform dedicated to finding a job in the industry. Click here for more information.
AFASEC can also help you in your search and offers a wide range of training courses. Click here for more information.