Les Hippodromes De Lyon

What Les Hippodromes De Lyon does

Les Hippodromes de Lyon is the trade name for the Association des Courses Hippiques Lyonnaises (ACHL), a non-profit association under French Law 1901 founded in 2010 from the merger of two racing societies. It is controlled by the French Ministries of Agriculture and Budget and administers two horse racing venues in the Lyon metropolitan area: Hippodrome de Parilly in Bron (inaugurated 1965, 35 hectares, featuring grass flat and jump racing plus trotting on pouzzolane, with 3,000 covered seats) and Hippodrome du Carré de Soie in Vaulx-en-Velin (opened 2009, featuring a Viscoride sand fiber synthetic track for flat racing and pouzzolane for trotting, floodlight-capable for semi-nocturnal events, with 2,000 covered seats). In 2024 the organization staged 69 race meetings comprising 540 races across flat, trot, and obstacle disciplines, hosting 6,149 horses and 41,700 spectators (the highest attendance in 10 years).

The organization's revenue is generated through a combination of on-site pari-mutuel betting commissions (PMU/PMH), ticket sales at €5/adult (with free entry for under 18, disabled persons, and FFE license holders), box reservations (€72 TTC per race day), venue rental and corporate hospitality (naming rights, visibility partnerships, the dedicated Media Kit), on-site restaurants (Restaurant Panoramique at Parilly, Bistrot de l'Hippodrome at Carré de Soie), and themed event programming (Brunch Hippique, Hippodromes en Fête, Grande Nocturne, Marché des Artisans). The organization coordinates with France Galop, FNCH, and PMU as institutional partners and holds EquuRES sustainability certification renewed in 2022. Customer segments span horse racing professionals (owners, trainers, jockeys), betting enthusiasts (turfists), families and casual visitors, and corporate partners/sponsors.

Strategically, ACHL is repositioning its two hippodromes as multi-purpose entertainment and event venues, leveraging the heritage of the Grand Prix de Lyon (150th edition in 2026) and the 60th anniversary of Parilly (2025) to broaden appeal beyond traditional racing audiences. It has invested in water management infrastructure (945m³ rainwater harvesting capacity, 50% reduction in water consumption since 2020) and is working toward EquuRES Excellence level certification. The organization operates with 11-50 employees and is viewed as one of the most important provincial racing societies in France.

Name

Les Hippodromes De Lyon

Legal name

Association des Courses Hippiques Lyonnaises

Website

https://leshippodromesdelyon.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Les Hippodromes de Lyon is a French non-profit association operating two horse racing venues (Parilly and Carré de Soie) in the Lyon metropolitan area, organizing 69 annual race meetings, hospitality, and event rentals for racing professionals, turfists, families, and corporate partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Horse Racing Entertainment

NAICS

Racetracks (711212)

SIC

Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Racetrack & Race Meeting Operations (MPAEADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Racecourse Hospitality, Sponsorship & On-Track Experiences (MPAEADAM), Racing Associations, Governance & Integrity Services (MPAEADAL)

Keywords

• Horse racing events
• Racing venue operations
• Equestrian hospitality
• Venue rental services
• On-course betting

Headquarters

HQ city

Bron

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Betting Commission (PMH): On-site betting operations generating €1,005K in wagers collected directly at the hippodromes. Total wagers on Lyon races reach €254.2M annually.
2. Event Rental and Hospitality: Venue rental for private events, restaurant operations (Restaurant Panoramique, Bistrot des Ecuries), catering services, and corporate hospitality packages including naming rights and visibility partnerships.
3. Entry Fees and Box Rentals: Ticket sales at €5 adults, €3 students, with free entry for under 18, disabled persons, and FFE license holders. Box reservations with shavings at €72 TTC per race day.
4. Prize Money Allocations: €10M in prize money (allocations) distributed annually to horse owners and trainers through race winnings, funded by betting pools and institutional support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Les Hippodromes De Lyon is a non-profit association that operates two horse racing venues in greater Lyon - Hippodrome de Parilly in Bron (grass track) and Hippodrome du Carré de Soie in Vaulx-en-Velin (sand-fibre track) - hosting 69 annual race meetings across flat, trot, and obstacle disciplines. Beyond racing, the venues deliver on-site dining (Restaurant Panoramique, Le Bistrot de l'Hippodrome), themed event programming (Brunch Hippique, Hippodrome en Fête), corporate and private venue rentals, on-course pari-mutuel betting, and a merchandise boutique (Le Petit Coin).

Product overview

Les Hippodromes de Lyon operates two horse racing venues (Parilly in Bron and Carré de Soie in Vaulx-en-Velin) as a non-profit association under French law 1901, organizing approximately 69 race meetings annually across three disciplines (flat, obstacle, and trotting). The organization offers a portfolio of experiences including live horse racing events, fine dining at the Panoramic Restaurant and Bistrot de l'Hippodrome, Sunday brunch experiences, boutique merchandise, and private event venue rentals. The two venues differ in character: Parilly hosts traditional grass and sand races in a park setting with tribunes holding 3,000 covered seats, while Carré de Soie offers synthetic-track racing in a modern leisure complex with floodlight capabilities for nighttime events and 2,000 covered seats.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hippodrome de Parilly

Quantifiable outcome

• 41,700 spectators attended in 2024, highest in 10 years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• France GalopcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational governing body for flat and obstacle racing. Controls racing calendar, rules, and represents French flat/jump racing internationally.
• Fédération des Courses Hippiques du Centre-EstcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional federation organizing 'Hippodromes en Fête' operations and regional racing circuit across eastern France.
• Label EquuREScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainability certification for equestrian facilities. ACHL achieved renewal in 2022, working toward Excellence level. Covers equine welfare, biodiversity, resource optimization.
• Ibis Styles Bron EurexpominorOthersPreferred hotel partner for racing professionals with pre-reserved rooms at PEGASE rates. Located near Parilly hippodrome.
• Hôtel B&B Lyon Eurexpo BronminorOthersPreferred hotel partner for racing professionals with PEGASE rate code 'PEGASE' for booking.
• Viscoride SurfacescoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides sand fiber (PSF) track surface technology at Carré de Soie for optimal flat racing conditions.
• PMU (Pari Mutuel Urbain)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational betting operator enabling PMU wagering on Lyon races. Hosts Quinté+ races with national betting pools.
• EquidiaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEquestrian television channel broadcasting Lyon race meetings and major events nationally.
• AFCASE / AFASECminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEcole des Courses Hippiques - training institution for jockeys and racing professionals.
• Centre Equestre de ParillyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal riding school providing pony activities during race events and supporting equestrian community.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hippodrome du Croisé-Laroche: Northern French provincial hippodrome near Lille offering flat, trot, and obstacle races under FNCH governance. Comparable in scale, multi-discipline programming, and venue/event operation; notably is the prior employer of ACHL's current régisseur.
• Hippodrome de Cabourg: Normandy-based summer trotting venue with nightly race meetings. Comparable in offering themed evening events and hospitality on a smaller scale, mirroring ACHL's Carré de Soie night-race positioning.
• Hippodrome de Deauville: Iconic Normandy flat racing venue with summer meeting, corporate hospitality, and tourism positioning. Comparable for its premium hospitality monetization and Quinté+ racing calendar similar to ACHL's Parilly programming.
• Hippodrome de la Côte d'Azur (Cagnes-sur-Mer): Winter-season French provincial venue hosting flat and trot races. Comparable in running a year-round meeting calendar on multiple track surfaces with regional tourism and corporate hospitality revenue streams.
• Hippodrome de Chantilly: Historic French flat and obstacle racing venue under France Galop with deep heritage (similar to Grand Prix de Lyon) and Quinté+ races. Direct comparability in hosting premium national-caliber flat races, hospitality programs, and turf management.
• Hippodrome de Longchamp: Paris-based flagship flat racing venue under France Galop, hosting major races including the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Directly comparable as a top-tier French hippodrome operating live racing, hospitality, and betting with national PMU integration.
• Hippodrome de Vichy: Major provincial French racing venue in Vichy offering flat, trot, and obstacle races with on-site hospitality and event rentals. Most analogous as a multi-discipline, multi-meeting provincial hippodrome competing for similar trainer, jockey, and corporate partner pools.
• Hippodrome de Vincennes: Premier Parisian trotting venue also integrated with the PMU/France Galop ecosystem. Comparable in hosting premium trotting races, themed events, and substantial on-site wagering; sets the benchmark for provincial venues like ACHL.

Broad incumbents

• Fédération Nationale des Courses Hippiques (FNCH): National federation coordinating trot and gallop racing societies in France, including funding ACHL's sustainability capex. Comparable as the umbrella institutional body overseeing calendar, integrity, and resource allocation that directly governs ACHL's commercial activities.
• France Galop: National governing body for French flat and obstacle racing, of which ACHL is a member society. Comparable as the broader institutional operator across all French gallop racecourses; sets the strategic and regulatory context for ACHL's operations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/leshippodromesdelyon

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Les Hippodromes De Lyon