The first French Classics amid the NRJ Music Tour

The Classics are the biggest races of the year for 3-year-olds, run over two different distances: 1,600m and 2,100m. This Sunday at ParisLongchamp, the first two Classics of the season will take place over 1,600m: the Emirates Poule d’Essai des Poulains (Group 1) and the Emirates Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (Group 1). The day will be punctuated by the various NRJ Music Tour concerts, with something for everyone.

On the track, will the Poule d’Essai des Poulains remain in French hands? Ireland’s leading trainer, Aidan O’Brien, is sending Puerto Rico, winner of the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (Group 1) at ParisLongchamp and the Critérium International (Group 1). Unbeaten in France, he may well remain so on Sunday. Facing him will be Hankelow, trained in England and one of the best 2-year-olds in his country in 2025. France’s leading hopes will be Komorebi, winner of the trial race, the Prix de Fontainebleau (Group 3), over this course and distance; Segall, winner of the Prix La Force (Group 3) at ParisLongchamp; Rayif, who will make his seasonal reappearance directly in the Poule; and Nighttime, narrowly beaten by Komorebi in the Prix de Fontainebleau.

Half an hour after the colts, the fillies will take centre stage in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches. Once again, the Irish master Aidan O’Brien will have a major contender in the beautiful Diamond Necklace. Unbeaten in three starts, she will make her reappearance directly in this Poule, but she has the advantage of having won the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac (Group 1) over Sunday’s course. For England, Simon and Ed Crisford will saddle Zanthos, one of the best 2-year-old fillies in her country. On the French side, hopes will rest on Green Spirit, winner of the Prix d’Aumale (Group 2) over the Poule course last year; Showna, winner of the Prix Imprudence (Group 3); and Narissa, runner-up in the Prix de la Grotte (Group 3), the trial race.

The card will also feature the Camille Pissarro Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary (Group 2). In this stepping stone towards the Prix de Diane Longines (Group 1), all eyes will be on the unbeaten Gilded Prize (Frankel), who has the credentials to become the favourite for the Diane.

In the Prix de Saint-Georges (Group 3), some of the best sprinters will be in action, led by Rayevka.

Finally, The President of the UAE Cup – Coupe d’Europe des Chevaux Arabes (Group 1 PA) will offer the chance to see several of the world’s finest Arabian thoroughbreds, including the champion Lippo de Carrère, winner of the Amir’s Sword in Qatar ahead of the outstanding Al Ghadeer; Hajmah, winner of the Qatar Arabian Trophy des Juments (Group 1 PA); and RB Kingmaker, who won the biggest Arabian thoroughbred race in Saudi Arabia in February.