Vichy Tips and Racecourse Guide
Resort town Vichy has a popular racecourse with flat, jumps and trotting circuits. Racing came to Vichy back in 1875, long before it had become a tourist destination with a casino. Vichy has blossomed as a spa town, built on the legend of its healing waters, but is unfortunately better-known in the history books as being the seat of the Vichy France government from 1940 to 1944 – the part of France allied to Nazi Germany under the leadership of Marshal Philippe Pétain.
Vichy hosts 40 race meetings from May to September. July and August are particularly busy on the flat and many of the top French jockeys shuttle between Vichy and Deauville by private plane in order to stay competitive in the jockeys’ championship. In the third week of July they race on every consecutive weekday, culminating in the Group Three Grand Prix de Vichy.
Vichy’s several black type races continue to attract British raiders. In 2012, Baileys Jubilee won the Listed Prix Des Reves D’Or for Mark Johnston ahead of Ed Walker’s Faithfilly. In 2015, Boomshackerlacker won the Listed Prix Jacques de Bremond for George Baker.
Vichy Tips
French Racing Tips – 24 August
Given he is very closely matched on recent course form with the top two in the market, Philosophy looks overpriced to gain a fifth career success this evening (6.45pm).
He wasn’t at his best at Mont-de-Marsan in July, but his two runs either side of that suggest he is hitting form following a quiet season so far and the way he travelled here last time offers plenty of encouragement.
Ioritz Mendizabal, who was on last time, has two wins and two places from seven starts on the six year old, and Philosophy has become well-handicapped off a mark of 24, with his last two wins coming off 27.5 (November 2020) and 24.5 (June 2020).
This looks a weak affair in which Philosophy really should be reaching the frame at the very least.
6.45pm Vichy – 1.5pt win, 1pt place Philosophy @ 7-1 (all firms)
Vichy Top Trainers (2020)
1. Jean-Pierre Gauvin 16 wins (25%)
2. Christophe Escuder 11 wins (10%)
3. Francis-Henri Graffard 9 wins (47%)
4. Andrea Marcailis 7 wins (26%)
5. Frederic Rossi 7 wins (14%)
Vichy Top Jockeys (2020)
1. Marie Velon 17 wins (22%)
2. Pierre-Charles Boudot 9 wins (22%)
3. Mickael Barzalona 5 wins (12%)
4. Ioritz Mendizibal 5 wins (17%)
5. Aude Duporté 4 wins (29%)
How to get there
Train
Vichy is not on the TGV line, so a slow train from Paris Bercy to Vichy takes just under three hours and costs €50.
Drive
The drive from Calais to Vichy takes seven hours on motorways.
Vichy Top Races
Flat
Group Three Grand Prix de Vichy
Listed Prix Des Reves D’Or
Listed Prix Jacques de Bremond
Listed Frederic De Lagrange
Listed Hubert Baguenault De Puchesse
Listed Prix Madame Jean Couturie
Listed Prix des Jouvenceaux et des Jouvencelles
Vichy Map
Vichy Tips Archives
French Racing Tips
I'm not convinced the class 2 contest over a mile at Vichy (1.25pm) is particularly strong, so though a couple have more obvious claims on form, I am taking a chance on Keep Fire at double-figure odds. The Francis Graffard-trained son of Siyouni has only run twice to...
French Racing Tips
I think you have to go back to Tashelka in 2007 to find Andre Fabre's last winner of the Listed Prix Madame Jean Couturie at Vichy, but he sends an improving filly there today and she looks overpriced to gain a second career success. She made her debut in an...
French Racing Tips
Henri-Francois Devin had a two year old win on debut at Saint-Malo yesterday and hopefully he can have another juvenile winner at Vichy today, with Sayyal a bet on his second career start. The son of Shalaa made his debut in what looked a smart newcomers' race at...
French Racing Tips
A winner of a Quinte handicap last time out, Friendly Face is worth supporting now stepped up to Listed company today. Andre Fabre's son of Galileo may have taken five starts to get off the mark, but some of his maiden form was strong enough, as when beaten a neck by...
French Racing Tips
The mile handicap at Vichy is a low-grade affair in which Absolute Summer should have an excellent chance of recording a sixth career success. The daughter of No Risk At All has run at this meeting on four previous occasions and her last three visits have seen her...
French Racing Tips
David Cottin has enjoyed considerable success in the juvenile hurdle division this spring and Fou Du Roi looks overpriced to give him another three-year-old winner at Vichy this afternoon (2.39pm). The son of Triple Threat is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Feu...
