Background - The 'city of horses' is
a pretty chocolate-box town with a welcoming, gentle community and is named after Louis
XV's favourite mistress, Madame de Pompadour. The splendid XV century fortified chateau,
which he bought in 1745 to house his extravagant lover, dominates the centre of Pompadour,
and overlooks the magnificent racecourse.
It was here in Pompadour in 1751 that Madame de Pompadour created the stud farm (Haras)
with just 3 stallions and 10 mares. This is now internationally recognised as the main
headquarters for the breeding of Anglo-Arabians (since 1872) and is responsible for the
research into breeding and the registering of breeding details.
The racecourse was created in 1836 and was originally devoted to training, with the
first races taking place in 1837. Steeplechasing began in 1919. In addition to steeplechase,
Pompadour's annual race events also include flat and cross-country.
This increasingly popular racecourse is rated as 1st class for steeplechasing, 2nd class A
for the flat and is considered to be one of the most beautiful and most undulating in
France. It is also one of the few courses in the southwest of France to see a rise in
both public attendance and participants. There are also numerous show-jumping and
dressage events held throughout the year.
Many horses stop to race at this picturesque Corrèzian town on their way to other
events in Paris or Pau. The leading trainers of France such as Guillaume Macaire,
Jaques Ortet, Jean-Pierre Totain, and even Arnaud Chaillé-Chaillé have taken part in the
meetings at Pompadour. Furthermore, the best of French jockeys, for example, Christophe
Pieux, Jacques Ricou, Fabrice Barrao and Benoit Gicquel ride regularly at Pompadour,
which also sees the racing colours of the most prestigious stables such as those of
Wildenstein, Baron Edouard de Rothschild, the brothers Werthheimer, the Sheikh Mohammed
Al Maktoum and Robert Fougedoire.
The Pompadour Stud farm (Haras) is one of the most prestigious in the country. The
89-hectare-pasture national brood-mare farm Jumenterie La Rivière is believed to be the only one
in France and is a spectacular sight in the spring. The site is world famous as the
birthplace of the Anglo-Arabian breed. Since the 1950s, the primary driver of saddle
horse breeding in France has been competitive show-jumping, the activity most commonly
practised by over 400,000 registered members of the French Riding Federation (France has
over 650,000 riders). There are guided tours of the Stud farm, brood-mare farm and
chateau. There are four riding centres in and around Pompadour where you can go riding, and many bridleways
through woodland and surrounding countryside. The entire Pompadour estate was listed as
"natural beauty of general interest" by a ministerial decree in 1926.
Technical Information
- 36-hectare site with approximately 2 hectares of track, bordered by forest
- 2000 metre sand flat track (regularly watered), approximately 14 metres wide, and a
home straight of 300 metres
- 7 starting posts at 1200, 1400, 1700, 2000, 2200, 2400 & 2600 metres
- Grass-track for steeplechase with natural 'green' hedges, regularly watered
- 3 hurdle race tracks (2700, 3000 & 3400 metres)
- 2 steeplechase tracks (3600 & 4200 metres)
- 3 cross-country tacks (two at 4500 and one at 5000 metres)
- 3 international-level dressage arenas
- Show-jumping arena
- Stabling
Racing Entrance Fees
(Events such as dressage and show-jumping are free for spectators.)
- Handicapped, less than 14 yrs old, professional cards - FREE
- Standard rate - 6 €
- Groups (minimum 20 persons) - 4,50 €
Racecourse Facilities & Services
- Up to 1500 spectators in the stand with 1050 seated
- Free parking available
- Panoramic restaurant for spectators on the top floor of the stand
- Local amenities including further restaurants etc within a minute's walk
- Betting facilities
Racing and Events
Here are some of 2008's events:
- 14th July (Bastille Day) is devoted to donkeys, asses and ponies with a number of
competitions and events. Great fun day out.
- 15th July - horse themed 4km walk
- 1st to 3rd August - Evening horse spectacular/display
- 3rd August - Greyhound racing with betting facilities
- 7th to 10th August - Horse promenade - western style
- 8th August - Draught horses competition
- 12th August - Richard the Lionheart horse-drawn rally
- 24th August - "Ladies' Day" horseracing
- 7th September - "Gentlemen's Day" horseracing
- 11th to 16th September - the 'Grand Week' of the horse. Prestige event at French National
level with international participants.
Racing tends to be held on Sunday afternoons. There are normally 4 flat races on the oval circuit,
and 3 steeple chase or cross country events.
Race dates 2008 include: 25 May; 06, 13, 20 & 27 July; 02, 15, 24 & 31 August; 07 & 14 September
The 'Sport' events (as they are known here) of dressage, showjumping and eventing, are
of a very high level. The highest level is the Olympic level with international participation,
and there is Professional 1 and 2 (Pro 1 & 2) at a slightly lower level.
Eventing, dressage and showjumping events 2008 include:
- 15 to 16 March........ Amateur 4 competition
- 22 to 24 March........ 3 day Eventing - Grand Prix Ponies
- 1 to 2 April............... Showjumping
- 11 to 13 April.......... Dressage - National Pro 2 - Young Horses, Grand Prix Ponies
- 25 to 27 April.......... 3 day Eventing - Pro 1 - 3rd stage of French Championships
- 1 May....................... Showjumping and dressage, category 5
- 6 to 8 May................ Showjumping
- 17 to 18 May........... Showjumping - National Pro 2
- 31 May to 1 June.... Showjumping - Grand Prix Ponies
- 7 to 8 June............... 3 day Eventing - Pro 2
- 11 to 12 June.......... Stallion appraisals and other competitions
- 14 to 15 June.......... Ponies
- 18 to 19 June.......... Showjumping - Young Horses
- 27 June................... Anglo Arab Stallion appraisals
- 28 to 29 June.......... Long distance endurance cross country
- 1 to 4 July................ Showjumping
- 16 to 20 July............ Dressage - International - Olympic level
- 25 to 27 July............ Dressage - National Pro 2 - Young Horses
- 14 to 17 August...... Showjumping - National Pro 1
- 29 to 31 August...... Showjumping - Juniors
- 27 to 28 Sept.......... 3 day Eventing - Pro 2 and Amateur 3
- 5 to 7 Oct................ Showjumping - Veterans Championship
- 11 & 12 Oct............ Showjumping - National Pro 2
For more information, please contact:
