The beautiful Hippodrome de Saint-Cloud in France staged a strong nine-race programme on September 12, and it was a day that felt a notch above the usual. The first race was off at 1:08 pm and the last wrapped up at 5:48 pm, with the entire afternoon marked by competitive fields, listed-level contests, and proper challenges posed by the very soft ground. The combination of higher-class races and tricky underfoot conditions made for a thrilling watch, with winners having to dig deep and connections celebrating hard-earned victories.
Race 1: PRIX ORTIE BLANCHE (1:08pm, 2000 metres)
The afternoon opened with a maiden contest where SPACE WALTZ showed real determination, crossing the line in 2.12.89. Jockey STEPHANE PASQUIER timed the run perfectly, trainer A. FABRE had the horse spot on for the conditions, and breeder FLAXMAN HOLDINGS LTD with owner FLAXMAN STABLES IRELAND L.T.D enjoyed a great start to the day. CZAJKOWSKI fought bravely for second, while MELUSINE DU HOULEY stayed on well for third.
Race 2: PRIX A TEMPO (1:43pm, 2400 metres)
In the second race of Class 2 horses, geldings and mares, SACRED SPIRIT handled the testing ground superbly to take victory in 2.44.25. Jockey MAXIME GUYON gave a strong, confident ride, trainer A. FABRE clearly had the tactics right, and breeder DAYTON INVESTMENTS LTD with owner WERTHEIMER & FRERE were rewarded. AQUA AUGUSTA kept on gamely to finish close behind, with STINGRAY staying on for a well-deserved third.
Race 3: PRIX FAST FOX (2:18pm, 1300 metres)
The third race brought a sharp finish as IMPERIOR dug deep to land the spoils in 1.22.66. It was a polished ride by jockey BENJAMIN MARIE under trainer MME A. KARKOSA’s careful guidance, with breeder S. PEGZA and owner MR SLAWOMIR PEGZA completing the winning team. KHOVIKHOV made a bold bid but just missed out, while AEDION ran a determined race to grab third.
Race 4: PRIX DAGOR (2:53pm, 1400 metres)
Race four saw DOSTOIEVSKY dominate late on, winning in 1.28.51. Jockey THEO BACHELOT made all the right moves, trainer M. DELCHER SANCHEZ had clearly targeted this race, and breeder as well as owner MR ALAIN JATHIERE were delighted with the effort. HELLO AVENUE stayed competitive until the line, and DORADO battled on to complete the placings.
Race 5: PRIX TURENNE (3:28pm, 2400 metres)
In the fifth, BEST SECRET showed class and stamina to claim victory in 2.37.40. The partnership between jockey JAMES WILLIAM DOYLE and trainer S. WATTEL clicked perfectly, with breeder MME H. ERCULIANI and owner WATHNAN RACING sharing in the success. GETHINÂ chased hard and deserves credit for a strong effort, with SEA SCOUT finishing just behind.
Race 6: PRIX SOYA (4:03pm, 1600 metres)
Race six produced one of the day’s standout moments as CHARMING CECILIA handled the conditions with authority, winning in 1.44.51. Jockey MME MARIE VELON kept composure, trainer CLEMENT & HERMANS’s preparation showed, and breeder ECURIE OLIVIER MOREL with owner RT RACING and C BLOODSTOCK celebrated another fine performance. BAILEYS ENCANTA gave a gutsy chase, while TREVILLY showed determination to secure third.
Race 7: PRIX POLIGLOTE (4:38pm, 3100 metres)
In the seventh contest, KANDO struck late to take the win in  3.29. 8. Jockey HUGO JOURNIAC held nerve in the testing ground, trainer Y. BARBEROT had the horse primed, and breeder CHEVOTEL DE LA HAUQUERIE with owner CHEVOTEL RACING took home the honours. SESTRIEM ran with plenty of heart, and LADY MADELEINE put in a solid shift for third.
Race 8: PRIX DU LIEU PLAISANT (5:13pm, 1600 metres)
The penultimate race went to BABY HARTWOOD, who crossed the line in 1.42.60 with a well-judged ride from jockey CRISTIAN DEMURO. Trainer MME V. DISSAUX had the horse spot on, while breeder D. GUINDON,MME I. HOVELACQUE, B. HOVELACQUE and owner D.GUINDON and M.HOVELACQUE could celebrate another success. UMINEKO kept on in the closing stages, with LESBEK showing grit to claim third.
Race 9: PRIX DU LIEU FERAL (5:48pm, 1600 metres)
The finale capped off the afternoon as ASTON JUAN came home strongly in 1.43.28. Jockey ANTOINE HAMELIN delivered a precise ride, trainer F. CARNEVALI’s placement proved perfect, and breeder as well as owner ESAGERUMA NEIN SAS enjoyed the last win of the day. PONY BOY fought hard until the line, and SYBARIS JEWEL stayed on well to complete the frame.
The Saint-Cloud card lived up to its promise, offering a perfect mix of quality races, competitive fields, and testing conditions. Fans were treated to a full afternoon of excitement, and the winners can look forward to bigger targets after proving their mettle on such demanding ground.
Read the full Saint-Cloud race recap and results on RaceBuzz.
