The Finest Sunday at Saint-Cloud

The Finest Sunday at Saint-Cloud

This Sunday, the Saint-Cloud racecourse is pulling out all the stops, both on and off the track.

The public will be able to take part in the Grand Painting Competition, now in its 27th edition, or simply enjoy a picnic facing the track, in the spacious open-air areas.

On the sporting front, the atmosphere promises to be electric! Five top-class horses will compete in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, a Group 1 race run over 2,400 meters. Aventure (Sea the Stars), last year’s runner-up in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, continues her campaign towards her ultimate goal. She is the only filly in the line-up and recently won on this track in the Prix Corrida (Gr2).

The four other contenders, all geldings, have ambitions outside the Arc. Goliath (Adlerflug) and Calandagan (Gleneagles), both trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, are expected to meet again in early July at the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr1), often referred to as the “English Arc”. The seasoned traveler Junko (Intello), who sports the same silks as Aventure—those of Wertheimer & Frère—is gradually returning to peak form after a lengthy break. Lastly, Irésine (Manduro), now eight years old, will once again rely on the strong bond with his rider, female jockey Marie Velon, in an attempt to challenge the favorites.

Six runners are entered in the Prix Eugène Adam (Gr2), a race reserved for three-year-olds. One colt remains unbeaten in three starts: Dariz (Sea the Stars), who recently claimed a victory at Listed level. Two contenders are crossing the Channel: Scorthy Champ (Mehmas), from Ireland, who won at Group 1 level at two, and Bay City Roller (New Bay), a Group 2 winner at the same age.