The younger generation in the spotlight this Sunday at Auteuil Racecourse

This Sunday at Auteuil, young champions will take centre stage with several races reserved for four-year-olds. The highlight of the card will be the Prix d’Indy (Group 3). In the absence of the leader of the crop, the unbeaten Léopard du Berlais, who will be seen later in the season, valuable opportunities are there to be seized.

Third in the Prix Cambacérès (Group 1) – the Grande Course de Haies des 3 Ans – at the end of 2024, Shannon Maestro makes an early return to the track after his harmless fall over fences two weeks ago in the Prix Agitato. The form of the Prix Général de Saint-Didier (Group 3) run on 28 November at Compiègne will be well represented by Edamura, Noire Wulf and Shabrack, who finished first, second and third respectively. Winner of the Haras d’Étreham – Prix Magalen Bryant (Group 2) to close her season, Delmegan will take on the colts for the first time over hurdles.

In the Prix Hubert d’Aillières (Listed), racegoers will see Lecoeurdeshommes again. Last year, he finished third in the Prix Ferdinand Dufaure (Group 1), and his jockey fell in the Prix Maurice Gillois – Grand Steeple-Chase des 4 Ans (Group 1). On his return to competition, he will face strong contenders such as Jachar, Kamaro d’Huez and Losange Vert Bleu. Style d’Émirs, one of the stars of the Cagnes-sur-Mer meeting with two wins and a third place in the Grande Course de Haies de Cagnes (Listed), will also line up.

Finally, the sixth race on the programme, the Prix Ventriloque, reserved for four-year-olds, promises to be an intriguing contest. Trained by Daniela Mele, Populas, a winner on his debut at the Pau meeting, arrives at Auteuil with legitimate ambitions. He will face nine rivals, including Matador Allen, Salut des Flos and Novak, three runners still seeking a first victory but who showed promise last year.