About the race
The Emirates Poule d’Essai des Poulains is a Group 1 Classic over 1,600 metres on turf at ParisLongchamp, run by France Galop in May for three-year-old colts. France Galop calls it the French 2,000 Guineas. It says the race was created in 1883, when a mixed race called the Poule d’Essai, dating from 1840, was split into separate races for colts and fillies, and that it has used the main course since 1987. Prize money was EUR 650,000 in 2026.
On 11 May 2025 Henri Matisse, ridden by Ryan Moore and trained by Aidan O’Brien, won in 1:33.91, which France Galop said broke the race and course records. The IFHA rated that running at 116.00, joint 92nd in the world for 2025. On 10 May 2026 Rayif won for the Aga Khan Studs after 217 days off, ridden by Mickaël Barzalona.
The 2025 running
| Date | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 May 2025 | Henri Matisse | Ryan Moore | Aidan O'Brien | n/v |
From the official result.
The 2026 running
| Date | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 May 2026 | Rayif | Mickaël Barzalona | Francis-Henri Graffard | Aga Khan Studs |
From the official result.
Recognition and facts
- Run alongside
- Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, for three-year-old fillies
- Main course since
- 1987 (France Galop)
- 2025 winning time
- 1:33.91, a race and course record (France Galop)
- IFHA ranking for 2025
- Joint 92nd in the world, race rating 116.00
Questions readers ask
When is the Poule d'Essai des Poulains run?
In May at ParisLongchamp. It was run on 11 May 2025 and 10 May 2026. France Galop had not published the 2027 date by 12 October 2026.
What is the prize fund of the Poule d'Essai des Poulains?
EUR 650,000 in 2025 and 2026, according to the Deutscher Galopp results database; France Galop's race history page also lists EUR 650,000.
Who won the Poule d'Essai des Poulains in 2025?
Henri Matisse, ridden by Ryan Moore and trained by Aidan O'Brien, won on 11 May 2025.
Sources
The rank and rating are from the IFHA's LONGINES World's Top 100 Group/Grade 1 Races 2025, published 21 January 2026, which ranks races by the ratings of their first four finishers. Other facts are from the pages listed below.
- IFHA: LONGINES World's Top 100 Group/Grade 1 Races 2025 (published 21 January 2026)
- Emirates Poules d'Essai, France Galop
- Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains history, France Galop
- Henri Matisse produces his greatest masterpiece, France Galop (11 May 2025)
- French-trained Rayif wins the Poule like a champion, France Galop (10 May 2026)
- Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains, 10 May 2026, result, Deutscher Galopp