Clairefontaine Racecourse

1875 — The Société des Courses de Pont-l’Évêque was established to organize obstacle racing in the Pays d’Auge.

1924 — The Société des Courses du Pays d’Auge assumed the activities of the Société des Courses de Pont-l’Évêque.

1928 — Clairefontaine Racecourse was officially inaugurated on August 8 by France’s Minister of Agriculture, with Flat racing forming its original program.

1932 — Harness racing meetings were introduced at Clairefontaine.

1936 — The Société des Courses du Pays d’Auge acquired additional land in Tourgéville and created two larger courses, one for Flat racing and one for steeplechasing.

1939–1949 — The racecourse was requisitioned during World War II. Racing resumed in 1949 with 14 meetings, six of which were conducted with Pari Mutuel Urbain wagering.

1958 — Obstacle racing returned to a central place in the program, including the racecourse’s principal steeplechase. Three July meetings were also allocated to harness racing.

1999 — Clairefontaine staged its first race selected for France’s Quinté+ pool.

2006 — The racecourse held its first illuminated evening meeting using large lighting balloons.

2008 — Clairefontaine staged its first PMU harness meeting on grass.

2012 — Clairefontaine became a host venue for a round of the Défi du Galop Flat-racing series.

2014 — Clairefontaine became the first French racecourse staging three racing codes on grass to receive the EquuRES label.

2016 — The racecourse received the Normandie Qualité Tourisme designation and completed the restoration of the marshland inside its courses.

2020 — Selected races normally held at ParisLongchamp were transferred to Clairefontaine while Paris was under COVID-19 restrictions.

2021 — Clairefontaine renewed its EquuRES Excellence certification.

2024 — Clairefontaine became the first racecourse to receive the EquuRES Bien-Être au Travail designation for workplace-welfare practices.