Ireland triumphs in the Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Prix Jean Prat

Race Recap

The Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Prix Jean Prat, the first Group 1 race of the summer to be staged at Deauville-La Touques Racecourse, went to the Irish colt Thesecretadversary. Winner of the Jersey Stakes (Gr3) at the latest Royal Ascot meeting, he captured the first Group 1 victory of his career on this occasion.

Partnered by Christophe Soumillon, Thesecretadversary raced along the stands' rail before producing a strong turn of foot in the closing stages to repel his rivals' challenges all the way to the line.

Trained in Ireland, at Thomastown in County Tipperary, by James Anthony Stack, known as "Fozzy", he provided his trainer with a first European Group 1 success. James Anthony Stack had previously won a Group 1—the highest level of Thoroughbred racing—but in the United States, in 2023.

Already successful in this race last year aboard Woodshauna, Belgian-born jockey Christophe Soumillon, who is based in France, successfully defended his title in the Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Prix Jean Prat.

Ireland completed the one-two thanks to True Love. The only filly in the field, Aidan O'Brien's trainee finished second. French training was represented on the podium by Nighttime, who finished third for Chantilly-based trainer Christopher Head.

Official Result

1st – THESECRETADVERSARY (C. Soumillon)

2nd – TRUE LOVE (R.-L. Moore)

3rd – NIGHTTIME (M. Guyon)

Time: 1:22.17

Margins: ½ length – head – neck.

Winners' Quotes

James-Anthony "Fozzy" Stack (trainer of Thesecretadversary, 1st) – Ireland

“Christophe Soumillon gave him a superb ride. We were a little concerned about the pace of the race. He told me, ‘I think we’ll have to go on because nobody else seems willing to do it.’ I replied, ‘Go ahead.’ Everything worked out perfectly. He had pulled too hard in the English Guineas, and in the Irish equivalent he never got a clear run.

We have always believed he was a good horse. When he then won the Jersey Stakes over seven furlongs at Ascot, Seamie Heffernan, who rode him that day, said he would be even better over six furlongs. Christophe Soumillon said exactly the same thing today.

He holds entries in the City of York Stakes, a Group 1 at York, as well as the Sprint Cup at Haydock. I will now discuss the options with the owners to see what they would like to do. Both partners are involved in the stallion business, so I will partly be guided by their long-term objectives.”

Christophe Soumillon (jockey of Thesecretadversary, 1st)

“Thesecretadversary is a superb horse. He’s tough and very straightforward to ride. The other day at Ascot, he was already beating some very good horses. He had also suffered from several troubled trips earlier in his career, but we knew that certain racecourses perhaps didn’t suit him perfectly. When I saw this straight course on a flat track, I thought he would be capable of running a very big race.

Everything went perfectly throughout the race. I was never really under any pressure and, when I asked him to quicken, he responded extremely well. In the closing stages, I had to ask him for everything he had left because I could feel Ryan coming back strongly aboard True Love. I think seven furlongs is really the limit of his stamina. Over six furlongs, however, I believe he would be just as effective.

The logical next step could be the Prix Maurice de Gheest here at Deauville, but there are also some excellent six-furlong races in England. First, we’ll see how he comes out of this race. He is a horse with an outstanding temperament, he’s a beautiful individual physically, and I’m convinced he still has further improvement to come.”

Hermine Bastide (representing Coolmore, owner of True Love, 2nd)

“Ryan Moore is very pleased with True Love. We really have nothing to reproach her for.”

Christopher Head (trainer of Nighttime, 3rd) – Chantilly 

"It's always very difficult to take on the Irish, especially as this is really their sport! But I was delighted with Nighttime's attitude. He was extremely professional, and I'm really pleased to see him performing again at this level. He produced a very fine performance. His jockey also came back very satisfied. He told me, 'When you're racing among horses that have won the Guineas or the Poules d'Essai, what more could you ask for?' That sums up the merit of his performance.

It was his first run on a straight course and I never really had any doubts about his ability to handle it. I felt this type of track would suit him, and he proved that today.

As for what's next, we'll discuss it with the owners before deciding on his programme. It's still a little too early to say where we'll see him again later this summer."