Sunday at Deauville: All Eyes on the Straight-Line Speed!

This Sunday, August 10, the Deauville-La Touques racecourse will be the stage for a major day in the Meeting Barrière, featuring five races that provide an excellent snapshot of the selection of the world’s best thoroughbreds and the hierarchy of the racing program: starting with Listed races (the gateway to the highest level), and gradually increasing in quality through Group 3, Group 2, and finally, Group 1 events.

In particular, Deauville will host one of the five Group 1 races of the Meeting Barrière: the highly anticipated ARC Prix Maurice de Gheest. Scheduled to start at 4:05 PM, the race takes place on the straight track that is the pride of this Normandy venue managed by France Galop. Over 1,300 meters, flat out, this contest pits the continent’s best sprinters and milers (specialists over 1,600 meters) against one another. The Prix Maurice de Gheest - European Breeders Fund, sponsored by the American Racing Channel (ARC), offers a unique setup in Europe: a direct showdown between sprint specialists and intermediate-distance horses. With €380,000 in prize money, this Group 1 consistently attracts turf stars—and 2025 is no exception, particularly with the presence of champion Lazzat, last year’s winner. He now runs in the colors of Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim Al Thani (Wathnan Racing).

Earlier in the day, action kicks off with a bang, with two explosive Listed races, both over short distances and on the straight: at 1:56 PM, the Prix Moonlight Cloud – Uruguay Book 1 (1,200 meters) will bring together promising 3-year-old colts, ready to confirm their potential in a tightly contested sprint. Then at 2:31 PM, the Prix du Cercle – Don Juan Cuneo Solari, a 1,000-meter dash for older horses, will showcase seasoned specialists, where every fraction of a second matters. If you’re a fan of raw speed, these two races are made for you.

At 3:15 PM, racing fans will turn their attention to an August classic: the Grand Handicap de Deauville (1,600 meters), with 20 runners in a tactically thrilling challenge. This Class 1 race is a formidable puzzle for savvy bettors, where every kilo carried can make all the difference.

Finally, at 5:15 PM, the Prix Daphnis – Samuel Liberman (Group 3) will close out the day with a bang, featuring twelve 3-year-old colts over the mile. A great opportunity to spot the next big names on the French and international turf scene.