Early Stakes: Lady O’Reilly and Nureyev Contests
Racing opens with the Aga Khan Studs Lady O’Reilly Award, a stamina-testing 2,500-meter flat race worth €73,200. Leading contenders include Zia Agnese (J: Christophe Soumillon), Caspi Star (J: Cristian Demuro), and Rabbit’s Foot (J: Maxime Guyon), all seeking early afternoon glory.
The tempo quickens in the Aga Khan Studs Nureyev Prize over 2,000 meters. A competitive €50,300 prize is on the line with runners such as Sea Scout (J: William Buick), Mister Rizz (J: Kieran Shoemark), and Damysus (J: James William Doyle) shaping an international flavor to the contest.
Mid-Card Excitement: Salt Garn and the Jacques Le Marois
The third feature, the Aga Khan Studs Salt Garn Awards, keeps the field deep and wide open at 2,000 meters. Standouts include Prince of Cities (J: Theo Bachelot), Lou Man (J: Cristian Demuro), and Thunderspeed (J: Maxime Guyon), each with a claim to the €50,900 prize.
All eyes then turn to the Aga Khan Studs Jacques Le Marois Award, a €1,000,000 showpiece over 1,600 meters at 3:50 pm. This Group 1 classic brings together stars of the European flat circuit: Zabiari (J: Mickael Barzalona), Notable Speech (J: William Buick), Diego Velazquez (J: Christophe Soumillon), and the ever-consistent Dancing Gemini (J: Rossa Ryan). With King Gold (J: Stephane Pasquier) and The Lion in Winter (J: Ryan-Lee Moore) adding depth, it is set to be the race of the summer.
Juveniles and Middle-Distance Duels
The card continues with the Aga Khan Studs Francois Boutin Prize, a 1,400-meter dash at 4:25 pm. Among the two-year-olds, Rayif (J: Mickael Barzalona) and Daytona (J: Ryan-Lee Moore) will attract attention, with Bourbon Blues (J: Kieran Shoemark) a lively challenger.
Later, the Aga Khan Studs Prix des Gorges de la Vire at 5:00 pm spreads the net wide across 15 runners. Names like Nitrogen (J: Augustin Madamet), Mia Julia (J: Maxime Guyon), and Indian File (J: Cristian Demuro) hint at a fiercely contested €20,200 race.
Late Afternoon Battles
At 5:35 pm, the Aga Khan Studs Honfleur Foreport Award brings another 2,000-meter test. Runners such as Douriann (J: Cristian Demuro), Get Set (J: Maxime Guyon), and Kaboom (J: Tony Piccone) will look to land the €25,900 prize in front of an energized crowd.
The second last event, the Aga Khan Studs Prix de Glanville, runs at 6:10 pm over 1,600 meters. Leading hopefuls include Marine Romance (J: Mickael Barzalona), To Our Memories (J: Christophe Soumillon), and Outdoor (J: Cristian Demuro) among a packed field of 16.
Closing Contest: Prix de Norolles
The evening closes with the Aga Khan Studs Prix de Norolles, a €19,200 1,600-meter finale at 6:45 pm. Among those set to contest are Chamberi (J: Jerome Moutard), Dark Zel (J: Maxime Guyon), Best Shalaa (J: Antonio Orani), and My Sioux (J: Cristian Demuro), all hoping to end the meeting on a winning note.
For full racing schedule and live coverage, visit the France Galop official site, and follow more insights in the RaceBuzz international racing section.
