 During World War II, it was contested at Maisons-Laffitte in 1943, and Le Tremblay in 1944 and 1945.The present system of race grading was introduced in 1971, and the Prix de l'Espérance was initially classed at Group 3 level.It was promoted to Group 2 status in 1987, and from this point it was staged in late June or early July.