The Prix du Jockey Club, also known as the French Derby, is run at the Chantilly Hippodrome on the first Sunday in June and is the most important day on the French flat racing calendar. It draws crowds of around 30,000 — racing professionals, owners and trainers, the country's top jockeys, and Parisian society in summer dress.
The race itself is the Classic for three-year-old colts and fillies, at 2,100 metres on the right-handed turf. The Prix de Diane (the French Oaks, for three-year-old fillies only) follows two weeks later on the same course, with similar standing and similar crowds. Together these two races make up the early June peak of Chantilly's racing year.
The Hippodrome opens early on race days and the parade ring next to the château is open to ticket holders. Booking a seat in advance is strongly recommended.