Deauville-La Touques Racecourse is set for a high-quality afternoon of Flat racing on Saturday, August 15, with eight races scheduled as part of the Deauville Barrière Meeting. The programme features four Group contests, including two Group 2 events and two Group 3 races, creating a strong international showcase of three-year-old and older horses. France Galop has described the card as a high-class fixture, with the opening race scheduled for 13:58.
The JRA Prix Alec Head (Prix de Pomone) carries the highest listed prize of the afternoon at €119,000, making it one of the principal attractions of the meeting. The Group 2 contest is for three-year-olds and upwards over 2,500 metres and has attracted five runners. Rabbit’s Foot, trained by Francis-Henri Graffard and ridden by Mickaël Barzalona, is among the leading names, while Euboa, Karla Jet, Indalimos and Zakharova complete the field.
The Prix Guillaume d’Ornano, also worth €119,000, provides another major Group 2 highlight just 35 minutes later. Restricted to three-year-olds over 2,000 metres, the five-runner contest includes Daryzan, Baroud, Proof, Montreal and Hello Jo. Montreal, trained in Ireland by Aidan O’Brien and partnered by Ryan Moore, heads the international challenge, while Daryzan represents the Aga Khan Studs.
The opening race sets an immediate high standard. The Group 2 contest covers 2,500 metres and is designed for horses aged three and above. With only five runners, the race places particular emphasis on class, stamina and tactical positioning.
Rabbit’s Foot arrives as an important contender after a strong sequence of performances. Trained by Graffard, the four-year-old will have Barzalona in the saddle. Euboa, Karla Jet, Indalimos and Zakharova provide the opposition in what should be a closely watched staying contest.
The second race is another €119,000 Group 2 event, this time over 2,000 metres for three-year-olds. The compact five-runner field includes several prominent connections.
Montreal brings an international dimension after being prepared in Ireland by Aidan O’Brien. Ryan Moore takes the ride, adding further interest to the contest. Daryzan, from the Aga Khan Studs and trained by Graffard, is another significant name, while Baroud and Proof bring strong French representation. Hello Jo completes the field.
The third race moves to the straight 1,200-metre course for a 16-runner handicap involving three-year-olds. With a larger field than the opening two races, speed and positioning are likely to become particularly important.
The €52,800 contest gives a wider group of three-year-olds an opportunity to compete on Deauville’s sprint course. The Hong Kong Jockey Club association also underlines the international character of the meeting.
Race four is a maiden event for two-year-olds over 1,200 metres. Twelve runners are scheduled to take part, giving some of the younger horses an opportunity to establish themselves.
At €27,400, it is one of the smaller prizes on the card, but the race remains significant from a developmental perspective. The two-year-olds will be tackling the straight sprint distance, with experience and adaptability likely to prove important factors.
The fifth race is another major feature, with the €73,200 Darley Prix de Lieurey staged as a Group 3 contest for three-year-olds over 1,600 metres. Thirteen runners are listed, making this one of the more competitive events of the afternoon.
France Galop highlights the international composition of the field, with runners trained in both France and Great Britain. Narissa, representing the Aga Khan Studs and Graffard, is among the names attracting attention, alongside The Prettiest Star, Esna, Vaticana, Hassaleh and Indifférente.
The Prix de Lieurey is an established Deauville fixture over the mile distance and has been run as a Group 3 race since 2009.
Race six brings another Group 3 contest, with nine horses aged four and above competing over 2,000 metres for €73,200.
Cualificar, trained by André Fabre, has the highest rating among the runners according to France Galop’s preview. Leffard, First Look, Wimbledon Hawkeye and Map of Stars are among the other notable entries. The race again carries an international flavour, with French and British-trained horses represented.
The seventh event is a €18,200 Class 3 claiming race for horses aged four and above over 1,400 metres. Ten runners are scheduled to line up.
After the afternoon’s four Group contests, this race offers a different test, with the shorter distance placing greater emphasis on early pace and tactical decision-making.
The meeting concludes with the €26,900 Prix des Hautes Mottes, a 1,200-metre handicap for three-year-olds. Twelve runners are entered for the final contest.
The straight sprint provides a fitting conclusion to a card dominated by quality Group racing. With eight races across the afternoon, Deauville once again provides a broad programme combining established stars, international contenders and emerging young horses.
The August meeting is part of the wider Deauville Barrière Meeting, which runs from August 2 to August 30, 2026, at Deauville-La Touques.
Overall, Saturday’s card offers a strong blend of prestige and variety. The two €119,000 Group 2 races headline the afternoon, while the Darley Prix de Lieurey and Prix Gontaut-Biron add further Group-level quality. The remaining four contests ensure that the programme covers sprinting, middle-distance and staying tests across different age groups, making August 15 another notable day in Deauville’s summer racing calendar.
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