After last year’s thrilling series, the Grand National du Trot kicks off afresh next month. The trotting 'Tour de France’ commences on 6 March and concludes with the Grand Final at Vincennes on 3 December.

In a fortnight’s time, Amiens stages the opening leg, just four days after the curtain falls on the Vincennes winter meeting, with the 13th and final stage to be run at Toulouse on 20 November, two weeks before the Paris showpiece. 

Naturally, the traditional and very popular stages at Marseille-Borély, Laval, Le Croisé-Laroche and Nantes have been retained, while Cordemais will be included for 2024 after professionals gave the racecourse a thumbs-up following the track’s refurbishment. It represents the 4th leg and will be run on 24 April.

Another change for the new year is the elimination of the July stage which, being a mobile start, had not previously drawn enough runners to make it as attractive a proposition as originally hoped, thus reducing the number of provincial legs to 13. Last modification to the 2024 GNT is Rouen-Mauquenchy relinquishing its position as final stage to Toulouse. It is also worth noting that Saint-Malo is the only venue staging its edition as part of a twilight meeting.

Simply remarkable on the circuit in 2023, Gaspar D’Angis became the first horse to win 7 editions of the GNT in one season, including the final, unseating Jean-Michel Bazire’s record-holder, Cleangame. Jean-Michel Baudouin’s charge hardly put a foot wrong all season, and much credit must go to habitual partner, and champion driver, Eric Raffin. 

Each stage of the GNT carries Gr.3 status, with the exception of the final which enjoys Gr.2 billing, and a prize fund of €150,000.

Dates for the diary:

Leg 1 : Amiens - Wednesday 6 March  

Leg 2 : Marseille - Wednesday 27 March  

Leg 3 : Lyon-La Soie - Wednesday 10 April  

Leg 4 : Cordemais - Wednesday 24 April 

Leg 5 : Le Croisé-Laroche - Wednesday 22 May  

Leg 6 : Laval - Wednesday 5 June 

Leg 7 : Bordeaux - Wednesday 19 June  

Leg 8 : Saint-Malo - Wednesday 7 August  

Leg 9 : Le Mans - Wednesday 11 September  

Leg 10 : Cherbourg - Wednesday 25 September  

Leg 11 : Saint-Galmier - Wednesday 16 October  

Leg 12 : Nantes - Wednesday 6 November  

Leg 13 : Toulouse - Wednesday 20 November  

Leg 14 : Vincennes - Sunday 1 December (Final)