Following the grand success of the trotting festival, Vichy is now set to stage flat racing’s equivalent, Le Festival du Galop, which takes place from 17-22 July. Featuring a Gr.3 and five Listed races, Vichy has added an extra day to proceedings, Saturday 22nd. A total prize fund of €1,035,000 and a host of high-profile events do nothing to keep the public and professionals away.

Of the eight races on Monday’s card, the highlight is the Listed Prix Frédéric de Lagrange, a 2400m event restricted to 3 year-olds.

The following day sees the Listed Prix Hubert Baguenault take centre stage with a host of four year-olds competing for black-type status.

Wednesday is a twilight meeting, and the most-awaited of the week. The Listed Prix des Jouvenceaux et des Jouvencelles is an important event for 2 year-olds, run over 1400m, but the centrepiece of the evening is the Gr.3 Grand Prix de Vichy. Run over 2000m, it is open to 3+ and carries prizemoney of €80,000. Arguably the best-known name to win the Grand Prix was Cirrus Des Aigles, in 2011. That year, he subsequently went on to win a pair of Deauville Group races and the Gr.1 Champion Stakes at Ascot.

Racing returns to daytime on Thursday, with the Listed Prix Madame Jean Couturié, a 2000m 3 year-old event. Only on Friday will there be nine races, and 3 year-old milers will go to post for the Listed Prix Jacques de Brémond.

Due to the demand for more racing, Vichy added Saturday to the calendar, and while there are no black-type races on the programme, it seems a fitting day to close the meeting.