Longines is official timekeeperThe Prix de Diane Longines promotes the art of elegance
Elegant picnics on lush green lawns, beautiful women wearing exquisite hats: the Prix de Diane Longines is an essential date in the calendar of elegance. And at the same time it is one of the most prestigious and popular dates in the calendar of flat racing. The racecourse at the magnificent Château de Chantilly will provide an ideal backdrop for Longines to illustrate the qualities of style and elegance that it promotes. In the same vein, the brand will be presenting a prize to the most elegant woman in its “Mademoiselle Diane par Longines” competition, to be held on Sunday, 12 June.
Having been involved in the world of sport since 1878, Longines has a vast experience in timing equestrian events. As part of its partnership with France Galop, the organisation responsible for national flat racing and steeplechase in France, Longines will be present at Chantilly, Deauville and Longchamp racecourses as official timekeeper, and the Prix de Diane Longines indeed represents the highlight of this association.
This famous race, which the English call the “French Oaks”, is run over 2100 metres at the Chantilly racecourse and draws over 30,000 spectators each year. The race was inaugurated on 18 May 1843 and has always been reserved for 3-year old fillies.
With a passionate involvement in equestrian sport for almost 90 years, Longines is also an official partner and time-keeper for many equestrian events, such as most of the CSIO Nations Cup show-jumping competitions as well as the various competitions organised by the Arab Equestrian League. In addition, apart from its traditional involvement in the Melbourne Cup Carnival, which includes the Longines MacKinnon Stakes, Longines is also the official timekeeper for other major meetings such as the Longines Singapore Gold Cup, organised by the Singapore Turf Club, the Dubai World Cup and the traditional Kentucky Derby, which is held at the Churchill Downs racecourse. Moreover, Longines has the honour of being a partner in Royal Ascot. The brand has deliberately chosen to be involved in equestrian events because they demand concentration, precision and experience.