Their geographical location, their mode of operation and their welcome based on conviviality make the small racetracks special. So many distinctions, in comparison with the Parisian Temples, which seem to make the popularity of the small racetracks across France.
Located in a privileged setting by the sea, the Bréhal racecourse (Manche) organized its last meeting of the year on Monday August 17th. At the end of the four equestrian events of the season, Jean-François Popot, President of the racing company, confides “having managed to hold the bar, after a slow start. "The dedication of the fifty volunteers and the financial support of the twenty regional sponsors are essential pillars, as indicated by the one who is also a trainer of trotters. “Without them, the site just wouldn't be possible. "
One thousand paying entries during the Green Trophy stage
After a half-hearted first date, July 20, nine days after the authorization of the return of the public to the stands, the Manchese site, which fortunately did not have to undergo the two months in camera, received a stage of the Green Trophy on Sunday August 9 to the great satisfaction of the team. “We recorded 1,000 paid admissions that day,” says the manager. And, at € 4 per ticket for those over 18, it is as much money that will be used, in particular, for the maintenance of the track throughout the year. Because, even if the National Federation of Horse Races (FNCH) contributes to the organization costs up to € 6,000 per date, this support would not be enough without the dynamism and investment of the people working on this multidisciplinary ring.
Great success in Biarritz with "a very young audience"
And this example is far from being isolated among these provincial racetracks, whose income depends mainly on the number of visitors and the stakes known as PMH (Paris Mutuel Hippodrome), that is to say recorded on site. "On two occasions, we exceeded 1,400 entries with an average of 900 people", announces, not without pride, the president of the racecourse of Biarritz (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), Claudie Hassenforder-Chabriac, and to add " this represents 3% more compared to last year ”.
On this site, based on the Atlantic coast, on the Spanish border and where 1,220 trotters competed against each other this year, the stakes have also followed the upward trend in attendance. “We recorded € 18,800 per meeting against € 18,400 in 2019,” says the manager. And this, in spite of the three closed meetings, therefore without taking any bets, on the thirteen of our calendar, since our meeting took place from July 4 to 31 ”, completes the one who is also professor of mathematics in faculty and in engineering school.
A very dynamic Facebook page
A positive assessment that she explains by the fact "of a very renewed public, very young and in need of festivities in the town of Biarritz because of the Covid-19. But here too, volunteering played a key role, especially with the holding of a refreshment bar which brought in € 20,000. A not insignificant contribution which compensated for the expenses of installing an ephemeral village to replace the absence of the stands. “They were destroyed because they contained asbestos,” reveals Claudie Hassenforder-Chabriac. The municipality, which owns the land on which we are located, is favorable to horse racing. We are hopeful that we will get more. ”On the other hand, a Facebook page very animated by photos, rankings and videos and produced by her husband, has contributed to the success of this season, congratulates the one who has been working since 1984 to keep the racetrack running smoothly. “This initiative was greatly appreciated by the players. "
"It's the passion of Sunday"
"We are not dead and we will continue to fight," said Joël Monchatre, secretary of the Perche Sarthois racing company. This is the name given to this racecourse after its merger in 2008 with that of La Ferté Bernard. Now united on a more modern site in Montmirail (Sarthe), the leaders preferred to cancel the first meeting of their calendar which only has two. "Rather than organizing a day at a loss in front of empty stands, we chose to remove the date of July 5". However, it should be postponed to September 6 because, in this western region, horse racing is eagerly awaited. “We are established in a town of four hundred inhabitants. Here, horse racing attracts people. It is the passion of Sunday. Visitors come to us to have a good time and our restaurant area with four hundred seats, run by volunteers, was full again on July 19. »The success in figures of this unique event attests. “Two thousand people gathered to follow the races resulting in a turnover of € 55,000 on the issues,” confirms the manager.
With 235 racetracks on its territory, France holds the world record. A bit like the range of our cheeses, each site brings its regional specificity. How regrettable it would be to see these places full of charm that make our country so special. Until then, solidarity, mutual aid and the involvement of these devoted souls have taken them through the decades ... May it last as long as possible.
Lower PMH stakes
From July 11 (date of the public's return to racetracks) until August 15, the Carrus group, which manages the betting process in France, has announced a 12% drop in PMH (Paris Mutuel Hippodrome) stakes on the 180 to 190 racetracks in France compared to the same period last year for an almost equivalent number of meetings: 155 meetings in 2019 against 158 in 2020.
The sites located by the sea would seem to be those that resist the best fall, also notes the historical supplier of PMU.