A French-style success story

Organised on a Pari Mutuel-basis to ensure a direct return to the industry, there is no better model than French racing. Essentially an agricultural sector, it lives for and revolves around the sport, striving to promote and improve breeds, establish social connections and sustain a passion which is part of history.

First run in the 1830s, trotting races have widely contributed to boosting the industry. The ‘Trotteur Français’ breed sets the standard on the international scene, with more than 30 countries committed to breeding the Trotteur Français today. The Prix d’Amérique is the most recognised trotting race in the world, and our best horses are capable of matching the Standardbred elite, while our stallions’ bloodlines are exported to the four corners of the Globe.

France boasts a unique programme which makes it leader on the world stage. €275m in prize money was distributed in 2015 through 11,000 races spanning 220 racetracks, with the Paris-Vincennes flagship organising more than 150 meetings annually.

Every year, 15,000 trotters provide more than 150,000 runners and are backed up by a bloodstock of 16,000 brood mares and 500 stallions.

French trotting draws its strength from its historical background and the depth and the diversity of its fabric, made up of more than 7,000 breeders and nearly 5,000 owners, a thousand trainers, 2,000 jockeys and drivers, 1,000 amateurs, along with 6,000 volunteers involved in organising 1,200 provincial fixtures.

Combining tradition with modernity, LeTROT offers a vibrant spectacle on a daily basis, soundly responding to the challenges that lie ahead.

For the last 10 years, we are one of the rare sectors to create employment that is not vulnerable to relocation, which is crucial to the development of rural areas and cannot be replaced by machines.

Our ‘racing product’ is good. We are keen on renovating it, adapting it to our environment and new technologies, while meeting both the racegoers’ and punters’ expectations.

Racing illustrates a French-style success story. That’s why we hope it will spur a genuine partnership with the State in the months and years to come.