The Dax Racecourse will stage an action-packed eight-race flat programme on Friday, July 17, 2026, bringing together a mix of experienced campaigners, progressive three-year-olds and promising juveniles. Organised by France Galop, the meeting runs from 3:45 pm to 7:50 pm, with races over distances ranging from 1,200 metres to 2,300 metres. The card features handicaps, maiden contests and Class races, providing opportunities for horses at different stages of their careers.
The meeting’s feature event is the Prix Alphonse Campet, scheduled for 4:20 pm. Offering the day’s highest prize fund of €21,000, the race is a 1,200-metre Maiden for two-year-olds and has attracted a field of nine runners. Juvenile maidens often provide the first glimpse of emerging talent, making this contest one of the most eagerly anticipated races on the programme. Trainers and owners will be hoping their young horses can make a strong first impression while beginning what they hope will be successful racing careers.
Despite being a maiden event, the Prix Alphonse Campet carries considerable importance because it showcases horses at the very start of their development. A strong performance in this race can provide confidence for connections before stepping into more competitive company later in the season. With a valuable purse and a competitive field, the feature race is expected to be one of the highlights of the afternoon and a key attraction for racing followers watching the Dax meeting.
The afternoon begins at 3:45 pm with the Prix A. et M. d’Arcangues, a Class 3 handicap run over 1,400 metres for horses aged four years and older. Eleven runners are set to compete for a purse of €19,200, opening the meeting with a competitive sprint where experience and consistency are expected to play significant roles.
The third race at 4:55 pm is the Prix Aquae Tarbellicae, a Class 4 handicap over 2,100 metres with €13,400 in prize money. Fourteen runners are declared, making it one of the largest fields on the card. The middle-distance contest is likely to reward horses capable of producing a sustained finish after settling into a strong rhythm.
Another large field follows at 5:30 pm in the Prix du Jardin des Plantes, also a 2,100-metre Class 4 handicap. Fourteen runners will compete for €11,500, with the race expected to provide another closely contested battle between experienced handicap performers.
The quality rises again at 6:05 pm with the Prix du Conseil Municipal de la Ville de Dax, a Class 2 contest for three-year-olds over 2,100 metres. Carrying a purse of €20,100, it is the second-richest race on the programme and features eight runners. The race offers an important opportunity for progressive three-year-olds to measure themselves against quality opposition.
At 6:40 pm, attention turns to the Prix de la Source des Pauvres, a Class 3 handicap over 2,300 metres. Eleven runners will compete for €19,200, with stamina expected to be an important factor as the field tackles one of the longer distances on the programme.
The seventh race, the Prix F. Ducassou, begins at 7:15 pm and is a 2,300-metre Maiden for three-year-olds. Nine runners will compete for €15,600, seeking an important first career victory in a contest that could highlight improving staying prospects.
The meeting concludes at 7:50 pm with the Prix Regia Semper, another 2,300-metre Maiden for horses aged four years and older. Eight runners will line up for the €11,900 prize, closing the evening with a race that offers experienced maidens another opportunity to record a breakthrough success.
Friday’s programme demonstrates the variety of French flat racing, combining juvenile races, competitive handicaps and quality contests for developing horses. The mix of sprint and staying distances ensures that specialists across different disciplines have the opportunity to shine throughout the afternoon and evening.
With competitive fields across all eight races and the €21,000 Prix Alphonse Campet serving as the headline attraction, the Dax meeting promises an entertaining day of racing. From promising two-year-olds making their first appearances to seasoned older horses contesting valuable handicaps, the fixture reflects the depth of talent on the French racing calendar and provides an engaging summer programme under the direction of France Galop.
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