21.03.2021

THE WORD OF AFAC: Why France is the best country in which to breed and race horses

Our PA race programme consists of 86 races, including 26 PA Group events, for a total prize money pool in excess of three million euros. The French races are a model of excellence and renowned throughout the world. The varied nature of our racecourses also provides owners with perfect opportunities for their horses throughout the year. The programme is mainly financed thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, France Galop and monies from entry fees, plus, in some cases, it comes from AFAC itself.

AFAC's raison d’etre is to oversee the organisation of the racing calendar, to keep the various strands within the sector apace as regards any change in the rules and practices pertaining to the breeding sector, and to defend and promote the interests of PA horses born and bred in France. The quality on offer, coupled to the prize money levels and the premiums on offer, is encouraging breeders and owners in ever greater numbers to set up shop in France.

Owners’ premiums

3-year-old races: 60 per cent of the prize money

Races for 4,5-year-olds: 45 per cent of the prize money

Races for 6-year-olds and up: 35 per cent of the prize money

Breeders’ premiums applicable to French-breds

Irrespective of age: 13 per cent of the total purse plus owners’ premiums

Using an example 

Using the example of a conditions’ race open to 4-year-olds worth a total of €14,000. In this instance, the winning owner stands to pocket €7,000 in prize money, plus €2,835 in premiums. So the owner stands to collect €9,385 in total. The breeder, subject to the horse being a French-bred, would net €1,278 in premiums.  If the owner is also the breeder, he/she would stand to amass €10,663 (7,000 + 2,835 + 1,278) in total.

Some of the highlights of the PA racing year

Every year, AFAC organises several events designed to stimulate interest in the PA sector and in which our membership and newcomers can meet and exchange ideas:

# The big Shadwell race day with its three sponsored races (early July).

# The Journées nationales du cheval arabe [editor's note: a series of National Arabian events] at Vichy in August, organised in conjunction with ACA (Association d’éleveurs de chevaux arabes pur-sang et demi-sang], and which groups together all the various disciplines over a single weekend (show, endurance and PA flat racing).

# The PA sale (unique in Europe) for the breed, in partnership with Arqana, on September 30^th 2021.

# The French Arabian Breeders' Challenges: consists of four races, including three Gr2 PA events, plus the French Arabian Breeders' Challenge Classic - H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan (Gr1 PA). A total of €180,000 in prize money will be on offer on this particular card.

# The annual stallion grand draw (for members only).

The annual stallion grand draw

Due to the current health situation, our traditional stallion grand draw which provides free coverings to stallions during the 2021 breeding season took place in "Live Facebook" format on February 4th.

We wish to pay tribute to our ever faithful membership, and they are invariably an omnipresent factor, as well as congratulating the lucky winners which you can find by clicking the following link.

https://afac-france.com/userfiles/files/prive/SAILLIES_2021%20TOMBOLA-GAGNANTS.doc.pdf

Lastly, we would like to again thank our generous donors, without whom this draw would not be possible: The Cavalry of Oman, Shadwell, Al Shahania Stud, Al Shaqab, the Haras de Mandore, the Haras du Grand Courgeon and Wathba Stallions, plus Hassan Mousli, Saad Suhail Al Mukhaini Bahwan and Zied Romdhane.

Reasons for becoming an AFAC member

# Entry in the AFAC directory and secure access to the website (www.afac-france.com).

# Advantageous lifetime pre-registration entry system for PA yearlings eligible for the annual Breeders' Challenges races.

# Right to take part in our stallion grand draw (which coincides with Breeders' Challenge Classic - HH Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Gr 1 PA) race day.

# A 80 € discount is applicable when your horse is catalogued for the purposes of the PA Arqana Sale.

# Preferential rates when it comes to all serological tests (Labeo) in line with the Arqana Sale protocols.

# Free entitlement to all AFAC publications (Stallion Book, JDG Arabians Yearbook, press reviews…)

# Digital subscription to Jour de Galop (which publishes daily) and to the "Les Cahiers du Cheval Arabe" magazine.

# Access to all the health, legal and fiscal services and the publications of the la Fédération des éleveurs du Galop (the English Thoroughbreds’ Stallion Guide, Abrégé des Courses Plates (annual racing reviews), newsletters etc...).