Vichy Racecourse will host an exciting eight-race programme on Monday, July 20, 2026, bringing together a blend of promising juveniles, emerging three-year-olds, experienced handicappers and seasoned campaigners. The meeting, organised under the banner of France Galop, offers a balanced schedule that caters to different categories of thoroughbreds while showcasing several competitive contests across the afternoon and evening.
Vichy racecards 20 July 2026
The card begins with opportunities for two-year-old newcomers to make their mark before gradually building towards the day’s feature events. The programme includes maiden races, handicaps, claiming contests and a Listed race, ensuring a varied afternoon for racing enthusiasts. With distances centred around 1,400 metres alongside an important middle-distance Listed contest over 2,400 metres, the meeting promises a mix of speed, stamina and tactical racing.
The opening race at 14:18, the Prix Michel Henochsberg, is a maiden for two-year-olds over 1,400 metres carrying a purse of €21,000. Sixteen runners are entered, creating an open contest in which several young horses will make valuable early career appearances. Maiden races often provide the first glimpse of future performers, making this an intriguing start to the afternoon.
At 14:53, another juvenile maiden follows with the Prix Marc Pimbonnet (Prix Kenway). Like the opener, it is contested over 1,400 metres with €21,000 on offer and also features a full field of 16 runners. The race presents another chance for developing youngsters to gain important experience while connections look for encouraging performances from their emerging talents.
Attention then turns to the afternoon’s principal sporting attraction at 15:28 with the Prix Frédéric de Lagrange, a prestigious Listed contest for three-year-olds over 2,400 metres. Seven runners are entered to compete for a prize fund of €50,300, making it one of the standout races of the meeting. The smaller field is expected to produce a tactical contest where stamina and timing will be key factors over the extended distance.
The fourth race, the Prix Tripolette, starts at 16:03. This claiming event for three-year-olds is run over 1,400 metres with €14,400 in prize money. Seven runners are declared, providing a competitive opportunity for horses seeking success at this level while offering connections the chance to assess future racing options.
The programme resumes at 16:38 with the Prix Vichy Destinations, a Class 3 handicap over 1,400 metres. Sixteen runners will compete for €25,900, ensuring another highly competitive contest. Handicap races often feature closely matched fields, and this event is expected to produce an exciting finish as experienced performers meet on level terms determined by their allocated weights.
Race six, the Prix de Lignières, takes place at 17:13. This Class 4 handicap over 1,400 metres carries prize money of €15,400 and has attracted another full field of 16 runners. Such contests frequently offer opportunities for consistent campaigners to return to winning form while providing competitive racing throughout the field.
The penultimate race is the Prix Hêtres Ensemble – Prix de Lusigny, scheduled for 17:48. Another Class 3 handicap over 1,400 metres, it offers €19,200 in prize money and features 16 declared runners. The sizeable field is expected to ensure an evenly matched contest, with several horses capable of producing strong late challenges.
The meeting concludes at 18:30 with the Prix Hubert de Catheu, a Class 2 handicap over 1,400 metres. Carrying the day’s highest purse of €50,900, the finale has attracted a maximum field of 16 runners. As the closing race of the programme, it promises a fitting conclusion to an afternoon filled with quality competition and closely contested handicaps.
From promising juvenile maidens to experienced handicap performers and an important Listed contest, the Vichy meeting offers something for every racing enthusiast. Young horses beginning their careers will share the stage with established runners seeking another notable success, while the feature races provide additional prestige to an already well-balanced programme.
The blend of sprint and middle-distance contests reflects the diversity of the French racing calendar, highlighting different stages of equine development and a variety of racing conditions. As Vichy welcomes participants from across the racing community, Monday’s fixture is set to deliver an entertaining and competitive day under the guidance of France Galop.
The Prix Hubert de Catheu, scheduled for 18:30, is the richest race on the Vichy programme with a prize fund of €50,900. This Class 2 handicap over 1,400 metres has attracted a full field of 16 runners, setting the stage for a highly competitive finale. The combination of a valuable purse and a maximum-sized field is expected to create an exciting contest where experience, tactical positioning and a strong finishing effort will all play important roles.
Although the Prix Frédéric de Lagrange is the meeting’s Listed race, the Prix Hubert de Catheu offers the highest prize money on the card, making it the financial highlight of the afternoon. As the closing event of the programme, it brings together accomplished handicap performers aiming to finish the Vichy meeting on a high note and provides an impressive conclusion to a day featuring quality racing across multiple divisions.
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