The Aga Khan Studs Prix Jacques Le Marois Une course mythique… jusqu’au Japon

2026 MEETING DE DEAUVILLE BARRIERE

The Aga Khan Studs Prix Jacques Le Marois

A legendary race… all the way to Japan

Ahead of The Aga Khan Studs Prix Jacques Le Marois raceday, featuring the Group 1 contest to be run on Sunday 16 August at Deauville-La Touques Racecourse, France Galop held a press conference attended by Henri Pouret, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of France Galop; Nemone Routh, representing the Aga Khan Studs; and the connections of two Japanese horses taking part in the race: Hiroyashu Tanaka and Yutaka Take, respectively trainer and jockey of Sixpence, and Ryo Takei, trainer of Strauss.

Strong ties between France and Japan

Henri Pouret highlighted the importance of The Aga Khan Studs Prix Jacques Le Marois, one of the legendary Group 1 races of the Meeting de Deauville Barrière, both for its distinctive course and its roll of honour. “This race is iconic because of its course, 1,600 metres on a straight track, but it is also renowned for the achievements and quality of the participants and the horses that have won it. The Aga Khan Studs Prix Jacques Le Marois takes place at the same time as the Arqana yearling sales, which attract leading figures from the international racing world, whose presence at the racecourse will further enhance the profile of the event. The international reach of this raceday is also strengthened by the presence of two Japanese runners. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the owners, trainers, jockeys and connections of these two horses for making such a long journey to take part in this prestigious race.”

International betting

Japanese punters will be able to bet on the race, as will those in Hong Kong, and Henri Pouret underlined the close ties between France, through France Galop, and Japan, through the Japan Racing Association. “I would like to thank the Japan Racing Association for making betting available on The Aga Khan Studs Prix Jacques Le Marois thanks to the participation of these two Japanese horses. I would also like to thank the Japan Racing Association for recently announcing that it would increase the number of French races eligible for betting in Japan, which demonstrates the strength of the relationship between the French racing industry and the Japan Racing Association. On Saturday, the Prix Alec Head will be associated with the Japan Racing Association, as it was last year. In return, on the eve of the Japan Cup at Tokyo Racecourse, a race will carry the France Galop name. Once again, this illustrates the quality of the relationship we enjoy with the Japan Racing Association. We also thank the Hong Kong Jockey Club for offering its customers the opportunity to bet on this race meeting under the WorldPool by PMU banner.”

Mélissa Reymond, PMU’s Asia Area Manager, added: “We are delighted that the Japan Racing Association has opened betting in Japan on The Aga Khan Studs Prix Jacques Le Marois. The Japanese market remains the largest in the world in terms of horseracing wagering turnover. Last year, three French races were opened to Japanese punters, generating 9 billion yen in turnover [more than €50 million]. We are grateful for our partnership with the JRA, in close cooperation with France Galop. The recent expansion of the list of French races eligible for betting in Japan, from three to 16 races, reflects the mutual trust that characterises this strategic partnership.”

Nemone Routh (Aga Khan Studs): “May the best horse win!”

Nemone Routh explained the purpose of the Aga Khan Studs’ partnership with the Prix Jacques Le Marois meeting, which was launched last year. “This partnership is an opportunity to thank the clients who support us throughout the year, in France and internationally: the people who buy our horses, the breeders and owners who support our stallions, as well as the supporters and fans of the Aga Khan Studs.”

Last year, Calandagan, racing in the Aga Khan Studs colours, won the Japan Cup, Japan’s premier race, and Nemone Routh added: “Two Japanese horses will be taking part in the race. We understand the challenge involved in bringing a horse such a long way to compete in a Group 1 race, and we wish them all the very best. We hope they are able to perform to their full potential.”

This year, the Aga Khan Studs will be represented in the race by the three-year-old colt Rayif. “Rayif won the Emirates Poule d’Essai des Poulains in the spring. He is in very good form and should give a good account of himself. May the best horse win!”

Japan in The Aga Khan Studs Prix Jacques Le Marois

A Japanese horse has already added his name to the roll of honour of The Aga Khan Studs Prix Jacques Le Marois: Taiki Shuttle, the winner in 1998.

A true legend of Japanese racing, jockey Yutaka Take also has a long-standing association with Deauville. He has enjoyed success there at the highest level, notably aboard Seeking the Pearl, winner of the Prix Maurice de Gheest, another Group 1 race at the meeting, in 1998. Deauville is also where he recorded his first victory outside Japan, in 1990 aboard Resident. Now aged 57, he continues to compete at the highest level.

FOCUS ON THE JAPANESE RUNNERS

Sixpence’s first major overseas trip

Five-year-old Sixpence will be racing outside Japan for the first time. On 7 July, he won the Yasuda Kinen in Tokyo, a Group 1 race run over a mile.

His trainer Hiroyashu Tanaka said: “Sixpence travelled very well. He was able to work on Deauville’s straight course on Thursday and everything went very smoothly. He can sometimes look a little stiff, but his movement was very good on Thursday. He will be racing on a straight course for the first time on Sunday, but I don’t think that will be a problem for him.”

Hiroyashu Tanaka is no stranger to Deauville, as Alohi Alii, whom he trains, won last year’s Prix Guillaume d’Ornano (Group 2). “I have wonderful memories here. I had the opportunity to come to Deauville when I was a jockey, and Yutaka Take helped me a great deal at the time. That was in 2011. It is a real pleasure to be back here with Yutaka Take riding my horse.”

Strauss, the seasoned traveller

Also aged five, Strauss is now well accustomed to international travel, with this being his fourth overseas trip. He has raced in Australia, Abu Dhabi, where he won in February, and Hong Kong. 

His trainer Ryo Takei said: “This is Strauss’s fourth overseas trip, and this time he was able to travel with Sixpence, which helped him a great deal because he does not like travelling alone. 

He also worked on Deauville’s straight course on Thursday. I thought the track was very good and even less firm than might have been expected given the weather conditions.”

Deauville captures their imagination!

Hiroyashu Tanaka: “I particularly love the beauty of the town, its architecture, its scenery and the quality of its restaurants. It really is a wonderful resort.”

Yutaka Take: “I first came to Deauville 36 years ago. It was the first time I had attended the races in Europe and also the first time I won a race in Europe! I have many memories here, including Seeking the Pearl’s victory in the Prix Maurice de Gheest in 1998. Since then, I have returned to Deauville every year. Being here is very important to my career as a jockey. (…) When Hiroyashu Tanaka and I were both jockeys, I had the opportunity to ride at Deauville with him. 

I knew the place better than he did, so I helped him a little. We got to know each other better during that stay, and I remember inviting him to dinner. That turned out to be a good idea, because on Sunday I will be riding one of his horses! (laughs) (…) Taiki Shuttle’s adventure and his victory in the Prix Jacques Le Marois in 1998 helped raise the profile of this race in Japan, but its prestige was already recognised by the Japanese even before that success.”

Credit photos : Scoop Dyga

Press Contacts France Galop 

Héléna Dupuy – Tel. : 06 30 41 85 89 – Email : hdupuy@france-galop.com

Bertrand Bridon – Tél. : 06 63 86 66 08 – Email : bridonbertrand@gmail.com