Saint-Cloud Racecourse in France is set to host an eight-race programme on Sunday, 25 October 2026, featuring a strong line-up of Group races across a range of distances. The meeting includes the Prix de Flore, Criterium International, Prix Perth, Criterium de Saint-Cloud, Prix de l’Elevage, Prix Royal-Oak, Prix Belle de Nuit and Prix des Haras. The programme begins at 12:48 PM and concludes at 5:00 PM, with contests for two-year-old and older horses over distances ranging from 1,600 metres to 3,100 metres.
The highlight of the meeting is the Prix Royal-Oak, scheduled for 3:50 PM. The Group 1 contest offers €350,000 in prize money and will be run over 3,100 metres for horses aged three and above. With its extended distance, the race will place emphasis on stamina and sustained performance. The Group 1 Criterium International and Criterium de Saint-Cloud also stand out, each carrying €250,000 in prize money and providing important opportunities for two-year-olds.
The action opens at 12:48 PM with the Prix de Flore, a Group 3 race over 2,100 metres for horses aged three and above. The contest carries €73,200 in prize money and has nine declared participants. The distance offers a test of balance, stamina and finishing ability as the runners compete for an early success on the card.
At 1:23 PM, the Criterium International will bring together seven two-year-olds for a Group 1 contest over 1,600 metres. With €250,000 in prize money, the race is one of the major attractions of the afternoon. The mile distance is expected to test the young runners’ pace, composure and ability to maintain their effort through the closing stages.
The third race, the Prix Perth, is scheduled for 1:58 PM. This Group 3 contest is open to horses aged three and above and will be run over 1,600 metres. With ten participants and €73,200 in prize money, it promises a competitive test over the mile distance, where positioning and acceleration could play important roles.
At 2:33 PM, the Criterium de Saint-Cloud will feature seven two-year-olds over 2,000 metres. The Group 1 race offers €250,000 in prize money and provides a longer-distance challenge for the younger generation. The additional distance will test the runners’ stamina and race management, while their ability to sustain a strong finish will be important in the closing stages.
The fifth race, the Prix de l’Elevage, is set for 3:15 PM. This Class 2 handicap is open to horses aged three and above and will cover 2,500 metres. With 16 participants and €50,900 in prize money, it is one of the larger fields on the programme. The longer trip will require patience and consistency, with the race likely to develop into a test of endurance.
The principal event, the Prix Royal-Oak, follows at 3:50 PM. As a Group 1 contest over 3,100 metres, it is the longest race among the meeting’s major events and carries the afternoon’s highest prize fund of €350,000. Eight horses are listed for the race. The extended distance places a premium on stamina, rhythm and efficient energy management, making it a key attraction for racegoers following France’s top-level staying contests.
At 4:25 PM, the Prix Belle de Nuit will provide another Group 3 challenge over 2,800 metres. Open to horses aged three and above, the race offers €73,200 in prize money and has 13 participants. The distance is expected to test staying ability and consistency, particularly during the final stages when maintaining momentum can become decisive.
The meeting concludes at 5:00 PM with the Prix des Haras, a Class 3 handicap over 2,500 metres. The race is open to horses aged three and above and features 15 participants competing for €25,900 in prize money. As the final contest of the day, it will provide another opportunity for the runners to demonstrate their stamina over a middle-distance trip.
Overall, the Saint-Cloud meeting on 25 October brings together eight races, including three Group 1 contests and three Group 3 events. With the Prix Royal-Oak serving as the feature race and the two-year-old Group 1 events adding further interest, the programme offers a varied afternoon of French flat racing across sprint-to-staying distances, with the focus firmly on performance, stamina and class.
For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to RaceBuzz.