First Major Flat Racing Meeting of the Season on Grass
First Major Flat Racing Meeting of the Season on Grass
Some of the best three-year-old European racehorses will meet on Sunday at the Saint-Cloud racecourse for the Prix Omnium II, La Camargo, and François Mathet (Listed races). Outstanding four-year-old and older thoroughbreds are also expected to compete over the 2,000 meters of the Prix Exbury (Group 3).
Dreaming of the "Poules"…
Saint-Cloud will host on Sunday the first two preparatory races leading to the Emirates Poules d’Essai (Group 1, the highest level of horse racing competition) over 1,600 meters: the Prix Omnium II (Listed) for colts and the Prix La Camargo (Listed) for fillies.
In the Prix Omnium, all the colts at the start hold classic race entries (notably for the Poule d’Essai) and will be making their seasonal debut. In contrast, in the Prix La Camargo, one filly, Shaky Nak, has already raced this year.
However, only two fillies in this race are entered in the Emirates Poule d’Essai des Pouliches: Iron Bird, trained and owned by Wertheimer & Frère, and Glamis Road, an English contender representing Nick Bradley Racing 6 & Partners. Last November 10, also at Saint-Cloud, they competed in the Prix Hérod (Listed), where Glamis Road emerged victorious while Iron Bird finished third. A rematch is in the air…
… and the "Jockey Club"
With the exception of Aidan’s Phone, who has already won twice over 2,150 meters at Cagnes-sur-Mer, all contenders in the Prix François Mathet (L, 2,100 m) will be tackling this distance for the first time. It will be a real challenge for many three-year-olds.
While some geldings will take part in the race, it also features entire colts engaged in the so-called “classic” spring races over 2,100 meters and beyond (such as the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club or the Grand Prix de Paris): Sirius Brown, Uther, and Un Instant Fragile, the latter being the only competitor to have already won at this level of competition.
The First "Arc" of the Season
The Prix Exbury (Group 3) will be the highlight of this thrilling day. It is often said that this event, the first Group race of the flat season, serves as a sort of early "Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe" of the year.
With horses like Sevenna’s Knight, First Look, and Map Stars, high-quality runners are expected at the start of this prep race for the Prix Ganay, the first Group 1 race of the season, scheduled for April 27 at ParisLongchamp.