Prix Gontaut-Biron

The event is named in memory of Antoine de Gontaut-Biron (died 1917), a member of the Société des Courses de Deauville, a former governing body at the venue. The race was established in 1919, and it was originally open to horses aged three or older. The inaugural running was contested over 1,600 metres, and it was extended to 2,400 metres in 1920. Deauville Racecourse was closed during World War II, and the Prix Gontaut-Biron was cancelled in 1940. For the remainder of this period it was switched between Maisons-Laffitte (1941–43, 1945) and Auteuil (1944). The distance of the race was increased to 2,600 metres in 1955, and cut to 2,000 metres in 1956. It was restored to 2,400 metres in 1958, and from this point the race was closed to three-year-olds. Its current spell over 2,000 metres began in 1964. The Prix Gontaut-Biron has been sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club since 2009. ==Records==

Most successful horse (2 wins): • Hernando – 1994, 1995 • Wally - 2021, 2022 ---- Leading jockey (4 wins): • Roger Brethès – Rabican (1927), Ping Pong (1935), Samovar (1936), Morosini (1941) • Alfred Gibert – Jefferson (1971), Nemr (1981), Great (1982), Arc (1987) • Olivier Peslier – ''Agol Lack (2000), Slew the Red (2001), Carnival Dancer (2003), Vision d'Etat (2010)'' ---- Leading trainer (5 wins): • André Fabre – Cariellor (1985), Agol Lack (2000), Slew the Red (2001), Crossharbour (2009), New Bay (2016) ---- Leading owner (3 wins): • Ralph B. Strassburger – Berthe (1948), Montaval (1956), Rumesnil (1957) • Mahmoud Fustok – Nemr (1981), Great (1982), Over the Ocean (1986) • Khalid Abdullah – General Holme (1983), Crossharbour (2009), New Bay (2016) ==Winners since 1979==

• 1919: Saint Souplet • 1920: Take a Step • 1921: Nephthys • 1922: Grillemont • 1923: Keror • 1924: Almaviva • 1925: Cerfeuil • 1926: Aethelstan • 1927: Rabican • 1928: Huntersdale • 1929: Grock • 1930: Hotweed • 1931: Folio • 1932: Bievres • 1933: Minestrone • 1934: Astronomer • 1935: Ping Pong • 1936: Samovar • 1937: Paix des Dames • 1938: Ker Flobert • 1939: Palais Cardinal • 1940: no race • 1941: Morosini • 1942: Legende • 1943: Chateauroux • 1944: Sabran • 1945: • 1946: • 1947: Cappielluca • 1948: Berthe • 1949: Fleury • 1950: Kilette • 1951: Lacaduv • 1952: Vamos • 1953: Frere Georges • 1954: • 1955: Rosati • 1956: Montaval • 1957: Rumesnil • 1958: • 1959: Etwild • 1960: Sheshoon • 1961: Hautain • 1962: Liberty Truck • 1963: • 1964: Frontin • 1965: Tobrouk • 1966: Sigebert • 1967: Caldarello • 1968: Frontal • 1969: Grandier • 1970: Shoemaker • 1971: Jefferson • 1972: Boreen • 1973: Folkestone • 1974: Ksar • 1975: Record Run • 1976: Larkhill • 1977: Iron Duke • 1978: Gairloch ==See also==