The Cheval Français was born on 21 October 1864 in Caen, Normandy, home of the then thriving harness racing industry. Ever since, its experience and supremacy, its endeavours to encourage and improve the breed have allowed France to acquire racecourse, witness some prestigious races such as the Prix d’Amérique Marionnaud, , ensure the sporting and economic development of the trotting industry and uphold the spirit of the races. Today, the Société du Cheval Français continues to fulfil its three key missions with the same passion. The figures speak for themselves: every year, the Société du Cheval Français holds over 1,700 meetings, across France's racecourses, mobilizing around 150,000 competitors and 10,900 races.
It also features, at national level, among the top-ranking organizers of sporting events.The challenge of developing and harmonizing such a programme.
The job entails striking a fine balance between regional, Paris-based races, national and international events, compiling a coherent schedule of events and conducting regular consultations with organisations such as the U.E.T.

The most renowned harness racecourse

Facts and figures about the Paris-Vincennes racecourse:

• The top harness racecourse in the world
• 155 race meetings every year
• 42 hectares in the heart of the Vincennes forest
• A large (1,975 metre) cinder track and a smaller (1,325-metre) track
• 150 boxes available for trotters
• A large hall (3,000 sq.m.)
• Stands with capacity for 40,000 people
• A giant (160 sq.m.) screen unique in Europe
• 3 parnoramic spaces:
  2 restaurants, offer sophisticated fare prepared by our chef Pascal Lagouge.
  1 coffee silks.

For bookings, please contact us on
01.49.77.16.23 or by mail.

A vigilant upholder of the racing ethic, the Société du Cheval Français has, since the very beginning, implemented a relentlessly stringent anti-doping policy, based on prevention and repression.
Firstly, because the image of the French Trotter must be above all suspicion. Secondly, because it is a question of protecting the interests and the work of our professionals. Finally, it is our duty to respect the 6.5 million French punters who should be allowed to indulge in their passion in total safety. The SECF must therefore be seen to be uncompromising. By going further than other sports, it instigates tests not only after the races, but also during the qualifying races and training sessions. It is also planning to introduce tests into stud farms. It is a policy that has already been successful: of the 15,000 horses tested every year, only around thirty have been declared positive. An infinitesimal amount, representing an average of around 0.2%. The way the trotters perform is all down to the work of the men who shape them, train them, care for them and drive them. The harness racing sector in France numbers several thousand professionals, including 3,520 breeders and nearly 2,171 jockeys and drivers. All of them invest passion, time, money and energy into the profession. By putting up the prize-money, by granting subsidies and by allocating bonuses to breeders, the Société du Cheval Français provides the industry with a vital channel of resources necessary to its economic balance. It also implements a diversified and dynamic communication policy in order to promote races and the specificity of the French Trotter, both at home and abroad.