The stage is set for a compelling French horseracing preview as Auteuil unveils a seven-race card on 5 November 2025. The programme unfolds like a seasonal narrative—stamina tests early, tactical mid-afternoon duels, and a closing handicap where positioning could decide everything. Horses, jockeys, and trainers alike approach the day with an eye on form and the approaching winter campaigns.
Opening test: the long road of the Prix Ferdinand Riant
The curtain rises at 12:17 with the Prix Ferdinand Riant, a 4,400-metre conditional event worth €55,000. It’s a staying challenge designed for horses with both depth and balance. Jeriko Bouloise, under Clement Lefebvre (trainer E. Clayeux), looks the steady type, while Kappa d’Estruval, partnered by Lucas Zuliani for Lageneste & Macaire, brings proven credentials over distance. Kidnappeur, ridden by Quentin Defontaine, adds intrigue as the Macaire yard’s second runner.
This opener sets the stamina tone—one that defines much of France Galop’s late-autumn circuit.
Tempo and timing: rhythm builds in the mid-card
By 12:52, the pace quickens in the Prix Robert de Lipowski (€54,000), where adaptable types meet. Emsilord (James Reveley) could assert early authority, while Moment de Grace and No Limits Steve represent the progressive side of the field. In this section of the French horseracing preview, mid-distance performers often reveal who’s best tuned for winter ground.
At 13:27, the Prix Elseneur (€55,000) stretches the narrative further. Diego d’Artois (Benjamin Gelhay) headlines for H. Merienne, who fields several runners today. Bel Enjeu and Blanc Pain add strength for F. Nicolle, whose team thrives in late-season conditions. Mondoctor Jem, trained by Lageneste & Macaire, could surprise if the going stays soft.
The day, by now, balances speed with endurance—two signatures of France Galop’s November racing artistry.
Tactical chess: shifting pace in the afternoon
At 14:12 comes the Prix Pre Catelan, run over 3,500 m (€51,000), where tactical speed takes precedence. Selma de Vary (Lucas Zuliani, E. Clayeux) shapes as one to follow, while Akadame (Mme Charlotte Prichard) may strike if the early fractions slacken. The sharp trainers will time their runs to perfection here.
Fifteen minutes later, the Prix Hunorisk at 14:47 (3,600 m, €51,000) renews the stamina focus. Icare du Seuil (James Reveley, M. Seror) heads the line-up, with Okkido (Tom Bourguigneau) and Loquas (Kevin Nabet) close behind. The card’s rhythm alternates between testing endurance and bursts of pace—a hallmark of France Galop’s conditional races.
Feature attraction: the rich Prix Triquerville
The headline act of the French horseracing preview is undoubtedly the Prix Triquerville at 15:22. Spanning 4,400 m and worth €88,000, it’s the richest event of the afternoon—demanding courage and shrewd tactics. Lucky d’Aubrelle (Theo Chevillard, E. Clayeux) brings class and control, while Parabellum d’Oroux (Kilian Dubourg, Lageneste & Macaire) could challenge late if the tempo plays to his strengths.
The result here may define the leading trainer standings for November, adding a strategic subplot for racing insiders.
The closing chapter: experience counts in the Prix Léopold Bara
The card concludes at 15:57 with the Prix Leopold Bara, a 3,600 m limited handicap worth €58,000. In contests like this, experience, weight, and race sense take centre stage. Véronale (Charles Clayeux, M. Seror) carries strong credentials, while Yes We Hope (Kylian Geffroy, G. Juillet) and L’Amie Larissa (Thomas Beaurain) offer each-way intrigue.
It’s a fitting finale—a race likely to hinge on fine margins and precise judgement as the November light fades over the racecourse.
The thread that ties the day together
Across all seven contests, this French horseracing preview underscores a meeting rich in contrasts: endurance against agility, youth versus experience, and tactical patience against bold aggression. Trainers like Clayeux, Macaire, Merienne and Pamart orchestrate strategies across the programme, each seeking to close the year with momentum.
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