The Prix de Diane, sometimes referred to as the French Oaks, is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at Chantilly over a distance of 2,100 metres (about 1 mile and 2½ furlongs), and it is scheduled to take place each year in June.
The event was inspired by the Oaks Stakes in England, and it was named after the mythological goddess Diana (French name Diane). It was first run on May 18, 1843, and it was originally restricted to horses born and bred in France. Its distance was set at 2,100 metres, which is around 300 metres shorter than that of the English Oaks.
Voila - the history :-). Until now we enjoy it! I'll keep down on page the video for a while - such wonderful memories...