FRENCH racing is going through some big changes. Bertrand Belinguier will have finished his mandate by the end of the year and the elections saw Edouard de Rothschild back at the helm at France Galop.

Over the next four years the €133 million rebuilding of Longchamp will take place and be up and running for the 2017 Qatar Arc de Triomphe. Chantilly will be hosting the 2016 Arc while the Poule d’Essai des Poulains and Pouliches will be run over the straight mile at Deauville.

It will be a much better track than Longchamp for these classics as the draw will have less importance. The new President will have plenty on his plate.

Apparently, France Galop employs double the amount of staff compared to the trotting side of the sport and the racing channel Equidia is reported to be costing €80 million when betting turnover is slightly on the wane.

One of Belinguier’s last tasks was to announce that Longines have signed up to sponsor the Prix de Diane for a further four years until 2019.