France To Eliminate Thoroughbred Racing At 24 Tracks In Cost-Cutting Plan

Basketball admin October 20, 2026 0 Comments

France To Eliminate Thoroughbred Racing At 24 Tracks In Cost-Cutting Plan

France Galop, the governing body of French flat and jump racing, has approved a restructuring plan that will eliminate Thoroughbred racing at 24 racetracks beginning in 2027, while shifting other tracks toward exclusively flat or jump racing.

Some French racetracks host mixed programs of flat racing, jump racing, and trotting. France had 231 racetracks that hosted spectators in 2025, according to industry figures. France Galop oversees flat and jump racing at 132 tracks, while a separate governing body, LeTROT, oversees trotting. The 24 affected tracks represent about 18 percent of France’s flat and jump racing venues.

The plan approved Oct. 19 does not call for closing those 24 facilities, which also host trotting races. However, opponents of earlier versions of the plan have warned that losing Thoroughbred racing could threaten the financial viability of some smaller tracks that depend on hosting both types of races, according to Racing Post.

The restructuring also calls for eight tracks to specialize in flat racing, including two that will transition gradually, while five others will become exclusively jump racing venues.

According to French racing publication Province Courses, the restructuring is projected to produce a financial benefit of €2 million, including €700,000 in operating savings and €1.3 million in additional wagering revenue. France Galop said the changes are intended to better align racing programs with regional horse populations, use facilities more efficiently, and reduce operating costs.

However, French senator Jean-Pierre Vogel told Province Courses that four racetracks could close in the near future as a result of the restructuring.