Back-to-school time at ParisLongchamp
The Deauville Barrière meeting is drawing to a close, signalling the return of flat racing to the Paris region and, of course, the reopening of ParisLongchamp. The big fixtures are just around the corner and, as early as Sunday, the show will already be on. Sprinters, stayers, milers and newcomers will all be out in force. By late August, the build-up to the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend is already well underway…
Speed on the menu in the Prix d’Arenberg
The Prix d’Arenberg (Gr.3), a sprint for 2-year-olds over 1,000m, promises fireworks. Of the eleven runners declared, seven are raiders from Ireland or England, among them Havana Anna, a Listed winner over the Naas 1,000m, and the unbeaten in two starts Hollywood Treasure, trained by Belgian handler Kevin Philippart de Foy, who comes here on the back of a fine effort in a Listed for fillies over the same trip at Newbury.
Among the home team, Afjan, trained by Henri-François Devin and partnered by Christophe Soumillon, looks a major player. He was second last time out in the Prix de Cabourg – Fonds Européen de l’Élevage (Gr.3) at Deauville. He will again face Jeudixx, trained by Carlos and Yann Lerner, who filled third place that day.
A stamina test in the Prix Gérald de Goffre
This race has a history of unearthing future stars over staying trips. In 2015 it went to Vazirabad, later crowned the world’s best stayer. The Prix Gérald de Goffre serves as a key test for 3-year-olds over 3,000m, ahead of the Qatar Prix Chaudenay (Gr.2), run over the same course during Arc weekend.
Quintéplus, Emit and Arnay Le Duc all try the distance for the first time. The one they all have to beat could be Hotheaded, impressive winner of the Prix Michel Houyvet (L.) at Deauville, scoring with authority by three and a half lengths. Carrying the famous Godolphin silks, he will once again have Cristian Demuro in the saddle.
Fillies in the spotlight in the Prix de la Cochère
The Prix de la Cochère (L.) will showcase fillies and mares aged three and up. Twelve go to post. Among them, Vertical Blue, a Group 1 winner at two, returns after an absence since May. Another leading contender is Flaming Stone, from the yard of Henri-François Devin, who has been a model of consistency at Pattern level, including a third-place finish in the Auguste Rodin Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary (Gr.2). She will be ridden by Alexis Pouchin.
Two-year-olds also take centre stage in the Prix de Fontenoy (for colts) and the Prix de la Cascade (for fillies). These newcomers, representing powerful stables and bred from the very best bloodlines, are eagerly awaited. Over the years, these two races have produced many future Group winners – and even Group 1 heroes.