The Le Lion d’Angers racecourse welcomes competitors and racing fans on Friday, July 24, 2026, for an entertaining eight-race programme that blends promising juvenile contests, competitive handicaps and two high-quality feature races. Scheduled from 3:45 PM to 7:50 PM, the meeting offers a variety of challenges over distances ranging from 1,400 metres to 2,400 metres, with horses of different ages and experience levels taking to the track throughout the afternoon.
Le Lion-d’Angers racecards 24 July 2026
The card begins with a pair of maiden races for two-year-olds before progressing to a prestigious Class 1 contest for three-year-olds. The programme also includes three competitive handicaps, a staying race for four-year-olds and concludes with the Group III Prix de l’Isle Briand, the richest race of the meeting. The diverse schedule reflects the depth of French racing by providing opportunities for emerging talent as well as experienced campaigners.
The Prix de l’Isle Briand, scheduled for 7:50 PM, is the standout event of the afternoon and carries the day’s highest prize fund of €33,900. The Group III AQPS contest will feature six three-year-old runners over 2,400 metres, bringing together a select field for one of the most prestigious AQPS races of the summer. A strong performance in this race can significantly enhance a young horse’s profile while highlighting its potential for future staying contests.
The extended 2,400-metre distance will place emphasis on stamina, rhythm and tactical awareness. With only six runners declared, every participant should have the opportunity to secure a favourable position before the race develops in the closing stages. As the concluding event on the programme, the Prix de l’Isle Briand promises to provide a memorable finish to the day’s racing at Le Lion d’Angers.
Earlier on the card, the Grand Prix du Lion d’Angers – Prix de la Cagnotte de l’Hippodrome (Prix Région de Cholet) provides another major attraction. Scheduled for 4:55 PM, this Class 1 contest over 2,000 metres offers €27,400 in prize money and has attracted six three-year-olds. Although the field is compact, the race is expected to showcase quality performers capable of competing at a high level. The combination of stamina and finishing speed is likely to prove decisive over the intermediate distance.
The meeting gets underway at 3:45 PM with the Lancement des Estivales du Lion d’Angers – Prix de Grez-Neuville, a 1,400-metre maiden for two-year-olds carrying prize money of €21,000. Eight juveniles are entered for the opening contest, providing an early opportunity for young horses to gain valuable racing experience and demonstrate their potential.
The second race, the Prix Nathanaelle Artu, follows at 4:20 PM and offers another €21,000 for a 1,400-metre maiden restricted to two-year-olds. With 11 runners declared, it is one of the largest fields of the afternoon. The competitive line-up should make for an interesting contest as inexperienced horses continue their development during the summer season.
At 5:30 PM, attention turns to handicap racing with the Prix de la Fée du Mas. This 1,400-metre handicap for three-year-olds has attracted 13 runners competing for a purse of €16,300. Handicap races are designed to produce closely matched competition, making this one of the most open events on the programme.
Another 13-runner handicap follows at 6:05 PM with the Animations PMU sur Hippodrome – Prix Bernard Leroyer. Open to horses aged four years and older, the Class 4 contest is also run over 1,400 metres and offers €16,300 in prize money. The experienced field is expected to produce a competitive race where consistency and finishing speed will play key roles.
The sixth race at 6:40 PM, the Prix Jean Sauvage, continues the afternoon’s handicap action. Covering 1,400 metres, the Class 4 contest for horses aged four years and above carries a purse of €14,400 and has attracted another field of 13 runners. The straight sprint distance is likely to reward horses capable of maintaining a strong finishing effort in a closely contested race.
The penultimate event at 7:15 PM is the Prix Un de Sceaux, a 2,400-metre race for four-year-olds worth €10,000. Eleven runners are entered for this staying contest, where patience, stamina and efficient energy conservation are expected to prove decisive over the longer distance.
Friday’s programme at Le Lion d’Angers offers an excellent balance between developing young talent and experienced performers. The two juvenile maidens provide an opportunity to identify future prospects, while the Class 1 Grand Prix highlights improving three-year-olds competing at a higher level. The series of handicaps adds depth to the meeting, with competitive fields ensuring closely fought contests throughout the afternoon.
The meeting concludes with the prestigious Group III Prix de l’Isle Briand, providing a fitting finale to a programme that celebrates the variety and quality of French racing. From emerging juveniles to accomplished AQPS performers, every race contributes to an engaging schedule that is set to make the July 24 fixture one of the notable summer meetings at Le Lion d’Angers.
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