The picturesque Mont-de-Marsan Racecourse will host an exciting nine-race card on Thursday, July 23, 2026, featuring a balanced mix of juvenile contests, maiden races, handicaps and staying events. Organised under the banner of France Galop, the meeting offers opportunities for horses of different ages and experience levels while showcasing the depth of French flat racing.
Mont-de-Marsan racecards 23 July 2026
The programme begins in the morning and runs through the early afternoon, with races ranging from 1,400 metres to 3,000 metres. Young prospects, emerging middle-distance performers and seasoned campaigners all have their chance to shine in what promises to be an entertaining day for racing enthusiasts.
The Criterium des Landes, scheduled as Race 7, stands out as the feature event of the meeting. Run over 2,450 metres, the contest carries the day’s highest prize fund of €32,000, attracting an accomplished field of 11 runners. The extended distance demands a blend of stamina, tactical awareness and a well-timed finishing effort, making it one of the most anticipated races on the programme.
With a valuable purse and a competitive field, the Criterium des Landes is expected to provide the day’s standout performance. Established stayers and progressive performers will battle over the testing trip, and success in this prestigious contest could serve as an important milestone for connections as the French flat racing season continues.
The day opens with the Prix Chateau Font Merlet, a Classe 2 contest for two-year-olds over 1,400 metres. Featuring eight juveniles, the race offers a first opportunity to assess promising young talent. Early-season juvenile races often provide valuable clues about horses capable of progressing to stronger company later in the campaign.
Race two, the Prix Pat, Dick, Alfred et Willy Kalley, is a maiden over 1,400 metres for horses aged four years and older. Although attracting just five runners, the smaller field is likely to produce a tactical contest where positioning and race management could prove decisive as experienced horses seek their breakthrough success.
The competitive action continues with the Prix Dunixi – Association des Proprietaires du Sud-Ouest, a 1,600-metre event for three-year-olds featuring 12 runners. With several developing performers in the line-up, the race promises an intriguing contest in which improving horses can continue their progression through the French racing ranks.
The fourth race, the Prix de la Madeleine, brings together nine older horses for another maiden over 2,000 metres. The extended journey will test both stamina and consistency, while runners searching for a first career victory will aim to take advantage of favourable racing conditions.
Attention then shifts to the Prix Jean Larre (Prix de la Navarre), another maiden over 2,000 metres for three-year-olds. Eleven runners are declared, creating an open contest where lightly raced horses have an opportunity to demonstrate improvement over middle-distance conditions.
Stayers come to the fore in race six, the Prix de la Base Aerienne, a Classe 4 handicap run across 3,000 metres. Eleven experienced runners face one of the longest distances of the day, ensuring stamina becomes the defining factor. Handicaps over marathon trips frequently produce closely contested finishes as horses attempt to balance pace with endurance.
Following the feature race, attention turns to the Prix Alfred Dabe, a handicap for three-year-olds over 2,450 metres. Ten runners will contest the staying event, giving progressive younger horses another opportunity to prove themselves over longer distances while adapting to handicap conditions.
The meeting concludes with the Prix des Entraineurs – Prix SOAL Racing, a 1,600-metre event for older horses. Although featuring only four runners and carrying a symbolic €1,000 prize, the race provides a fitting conclusion to a varied afternoon of racing while allowing connections another opportunity to gain valuable racecourse experience.
One of the strengths of the Mont-de-Marsan programme lies in its diversity. Sprint races over 1,400 metres sit alongside middle-distance contests over 2,000 and 2,450 metres, while the demanding 3,000-metre handicap adds another layer of variety. This broad range ensures specialists across multiple distances have suitable opportunities throughout the meeting.
Juvenile racing remains particularly significant during the summer months, and the opening Classe 2 contest could introduce several promising youngsters capable of progressing into stronger company later in the season. Equally, maiden races often provide memorable breakthrough performances as developing horses gain confidence through their first victories.
The staying contests are equally compelling. Longer-distance races reward patience, tactical judgement and endurance, qualities that frequently produce exciting finishes. The combination of handicaps and conditions races ensures competitive fields where every participant has the opportunity to deliver a notable performance.
Beyond the feature event, the meeting also reflects the importance of regional French racing. Mont-de-Marsan continues to provide a valuable platform for owners, trainers and jockeys to develop horses while contributing to the wider France Galop racing calendar. Meetings such as this support emerging talent alongside established performers and remain an important part of the nation’s racing tradition.
With nine races, varied distances, competitive fields and the prestigious Criterium des Landes leading the schedule, Thursday’s programme promises an enjoyable showcase of French flat racing. From promising juveniles to experienced stayers, every race presents its own storyline, ensuring an engaging afternoon at one of France’s respected regional racecourses.
For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to Racebuzz.