The traditional summer meeting kicked off this Saturday with the opening gathering and the first fireworks of the season. Until next September 2nd, nearly 800 horses will take turns on the Cagnes track, which is generous with activities around the races.
It’s off to 20 gatherings and 134 races until next September 2nd. The summer meeting is the major event at the Côte d’Azur racecourse, which also hosts gallopers, obstacle specialists, and trotters during the winter. This time, only trotters will tread the Cagnes track during late afternoon gatherings (from 4 PM), semi-evening (from 6 PM), and evening sessions (from 8 PM, see the schedule in the inset).
“On paper, we have every reason to believe it will be a great meeting. Ten years ago, we did not have any PMU gatherings during the summer meeting, but this time, there will be 10, which is 50%,” rejoices François Forcioli-Conti, president of the Cagnes-sur-Mer Racing Society.
Some gatherings will be eagerly anticipated: on July 31st, notably with the Prix de Cap Estérel (Group 3, the equivalent of the 3rd highest level of races). One should not miss August 21st with the Grand Prix du Département 06, supporting the Challenge Trot Grande Vitesse (Group 2), and finally, the closing will take place on September 2nd with, for the first time, the support of the Grand National du Trot (French annual trot circuit), which will serve as a quinté.
“The arrival of the G.N.T. is great news, and we will have the right to an ending of the meeting in style,” he continues.
On the stands side, visitors will be treated with, on five occasions, a themed evening. Each evening, one or more neighboring cities to Cagnes-sur-Mer will be honored (see program), not to forget the traditional “Palio de l’amitié” evening featuring Swedish and Italian drivers, wearing their country’s colors, who will come to challenge the French on their soil. Around, young and old will be entertained with activity booths, sometimes tastings, and games near the presentation ring.
Finally, to close these beautiful evenings, the Cagnes-sur-Mer racing society always goes all out with fireworks that are popular with tourists and regulars.
