Hippodrome of Saint-Cloud

Origins of property

Old Field whose origin goes back to the 9th century, Napoleon III gathers with difficulty, of 1855 with 1860, of many pieces and grounds of the plain of Excavator in order to constitute a firm-model for the private Field of the Emperor. This Field extends mainly on Saint-Cloud whereas in the west, it overflows on the commune of Rueil Malmaison.

In 1867, one notes the course of a contest for the promotion of agricultural mechanization. The farm of Excavator is joined together with the Field of the State, the September 6th 1870. The total capacity of the grounds of the farm is then of 77 hectares. The cultures are primarily cereal.

In January 1871, the farm burns during the engagements against the Prussians.

After rapids work, a penal settlement of 45 pupils is established there about 1872, to cultivate the ground and to train workmen. A few years later, it accommodated there, moreover, of the minor young girls and of the additional buildings were built. This colony ceased any activity in 1895 and one taken again farm the setting in culture of the places. The State put the Field of Excavator and all its buildings on sale at the public biddings. This took place on February 1st, 1898 and for a setting at prices of 620.000 F. It is Edmond Blanc celebrates it owner-stockbreeder, who gained the biddings.

The first hippodrome

As of the end of spring 1898, an immense building site invests the places. The useless buildings are destroyed, the grounds are turfed and of many constructions start. This work is entrusted to the architect vaucressonnais Leon Berthault ¹ who will insufflate a very elegant Anglo-Norman style with the whole of these buildings.

Edmond Blanc makes the new land acquisition to regularize contours of his property. The field passes then to a surface of 83,6 hectares.

One will not have less than three years of labor to see the completion of the first section. A monumental, but air platform is high. Houses of weighing, bet-mutual, distribution, Commissariat of race are built. Flowered gardens, trees and many floors are planted. New roads are arranged to serve the interior as well as the accesses. The surrounding sources are collected and the water of the Seine east gone up to the lawns, to ensure a regular irrigation in all circumstances.

The hiring of the hippodrome is granted the Company of Encouragement for the improvement of the French Horse of half-bred. Lastly, the " Racecourse of Saint-Cloud " - official designation, is inaugurated in large pumps, on March 15th, 1901.

Nothing was neglected from the point of view technique and modernity. The tracks have 50 meters of width, the straight lines are connected to turnings of large rays, the straight line measures nearly 1000 meters. The departures are given by means of starting gates. A telegraph is installed on the spot, for retransmettre immediately, the results of the races.

The dedication of this realization arrived at the time of visit of the king d' Angleterre Edouard VII in April 1905. After having received the congratulations of his royal host on the whole of his establishment, Mr Edmond Blanc pointed out that all constructions were of English style. " Yes, English, answered His Majesty, with its good smile, they are English, but with much French taste "

During the war 1914-1918, there are no more horse-races. The racecourse is requisitioned to lodge a military hospital held by Canadian ². They will look after there military and civil French throughout all war. The artery which leads to the hippodrome currently bears the name of street of the Canadian camp to commemorate the participation of Canadian, with the effort of war.

¹ it will build later on, the very luxurious hotel Normandy de Deauville

² to see the book " In the storm: Two military hospitals Canadian-French in France in war (1915-1919) " of Michel Litalien

The center of private drive

The second and last section start in 1902. Edmond Blanc which involved his very many racehorses to Cross-Saint-Ouen (60), wished a more private place, nearer to sound Haras of Jardy and on grass. He thus undertakes the construction of a vast center of drive deprived with all modern comfort for his horses and his personnel.

By re-using existing buildings and by building the new ones, it builds a very vast complex with the large ones and many stalls and stables. One sees there also a saddlery, marechalery, stores with fodder and grains, shower-room and infirmary for horses. The stable-lads have their refectories, dormitories and gaming room. The other personnel has their apartments on the spot.

The whole of these houses form the three sides of an interior court. The fourth east coast closed by a luxurious dwelling, always of Anglo-Norman style, built for the use of Mr. Blanc.

The second hippodrome

During the war 1939-1945, the races stop again. Part of the lawns is recycled in vegetable gardens, thus providing to the local population, of invaluable fresh food products.

The successors of Edmond Blanc sell the hippodrome in 1952 with the textile manufacturer and owner-stockbreeder, Marcel Boussac. The tenant in place, the sporting company of encouragement, entrusts in 1954 to the architect Eugene Lizero the rebuilding of the platform, bed, counters, stalls and boxings. Only the center of drive and the dwelling of the owner were saved. The new hippodrome of Saint-Cloud, more functional than really esthetic, is inaugurated in February 1955. It is resold in 1974 and belongs today, at the company France Gallop.

The center of private drive and the house of Edmond Blanc were restored then transformed into sporting club about 1982.

Modern races

Thirty-two meetings of races proceed annually on this hippodrome. The two principal races are the Grand Prix of Saint-Cloud, run at the end of June/at the beginning of July and the Critérium de Saint-Cloud, disputed last Sunday of October. In the honor of its creator, a price Edmond-White (group III) is disputed in March, on this hippodrome.

Internal bond

List of the hippodromes

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