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Marathon stayers always feature in the Prix Royal-Oak run at Longchamp on Sunday.
Subjectivist went on to become the leading long distance stayer in Europe after winning this. Will the 2021 Prix Royal-Oak (3100m) at Longchamp on Sunday find another good one?
2021 PRIX ROYAL-OAK - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
The Prix Royal Oak is a Group 1 race run under Weight For Age conditions for three year olds and up at Longchamp conducted by France Galop.
The Prix Royal Oak is run over 3100m. It was first run in 1861 and was won by Palestro. It was originally called the Grand Prix du Prince Imperial.
It is a very similar race to the Irish St Leger but was initially only for 3yos making it like the English St Leger at the time.
The race was not run during WWI and then the start of WWII before being run at Le Tremblay for a couple of years.
It has always been a Group 1, saw older horses running from 1979 and geldings from 1986.
Four horses have won the race twice – Amilynx, Westerner, Tac de Boistron and Varizabad. Varizabad was going for three in a row but ran second the year after.
The 2015, 2016 and 2017 editions were run at Saint Cloud as Longchamp was under its long term redevelopment. Then 2018 was run at Chantilly as Longchamp had more maintenance.
Freddy Head has tasted success six times as a jockey.
Francois Mathet and Andre Fabre share most training wins at seven.
Following his Royal-Oak win, Subjectivist would then win two big staying races – the Dubai Gold Cup and the more important Ascot Gold Cup.
The last non-French winner was Subjectivist in 2020 for Mark Johnston.
The Prix Royal Oak was worth €350,000 in 2021.
Notable winners of the Prix Royal Oak include Subjectivist (2020), Technician (2019), Holdthasigreen (2018), Varizabad (2015/2016), Tac de Boistron (2013/2014), Gentoo (2010), Ask (2009), Yeats (2008), Westerner (2003/2004), Mr Dinos (2002), Vinnie Roe (2001), Amilynx (1999/2000), Sunshack (1995), Moonax (1994), Turgeon (1991), Royal Gait (1987), Ardross (1981), Exceller (1976), Sassafras (1970), Relko (1963), Match (1961), La Pacha (1941), Éclair au Chocolat (1938), Brantome (1934), Ksar (1921) and Gladiateur (1865).
The 2020 Prix Royal Oak was won by Subjectivist from Valia and Holdthasigreen.