Precise leads a dozen entries for Sunday’s Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville
Aidan O’Brien’s Precise tops a 12-strong entry for the €1 million Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Sunday. The Ballydoyle handler is aiming to add a third victory in the one-mile feature, having previously saddled Excelebration to victory in 2012 and Diego Velazquez last year.
From Royal Ascot to Deauville
Precise arrives in good festival form after making her mark in the spring. Following a seventh-placed finish in the 1000 Guineas, the Starspangledbanner filly bounced back to win the Irish 1000 Guineas and then took the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, demonstrating her capability at the highest level over a mile.
Since her Ascot success she has been tested by some leading older fillies and mares, finishing behind Blue Bolt in both the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket and the Prix Rothschild at Deauville on 2 August. Those recent runs set up an intriguing return to the scene of one of her recent contests as she bids to recapture classic-winning form.
Irish and British challenge
O’Brien could be represented by a second runner, Puerto Rico, while the Irish challenge is bolstered by Thesecretadversary, trained by Fozzy Stack, and Power Blue from the Robson Aguiar yard. Thesecretadversary arrives with a noted Deauville success to his name, having prevailed in the Prix Jean Prat over seven furlongs at the course in July, highlighting the strength of the Irish contingent in middle-distance mile events this season.
British entries include William Haggas’s More Thunder and Karl Burke’s Zeus Olympios, both remaining in contention following the latest forfeit stage. Their presence ensures a healthy cross-channel rivalry, with several of the contenders having shown form at the group level during the summer.
Local hope and the wider field
Francis Graffard’s Rayif represents the home interest and steps back up to a mile after a disappointing effort behind Thesecretadversary in the Prix Jean Prat. The remainder of the decluttered entry list is completed by Dreamliner, Sixpence, Strauss, No Lunch and Sir Tommy Cen, rounding out a compact but quality field.
With a mix of three-year-olds and older horses, the Jacques le Marois once again provides a compelling mid-summer test of speed and stamina at a mile. Deauville’s straight mile and the pattern of ground late in the season can favour different types of performers, so recent form and experience at the course are likely to be closely examined by connections and observers alike.
Festival context
The participation of a Coronation Stakes winner links this renewal of the Jacques le Marois back to Royal Ascot, underscoring the pathway some of the season’s top milers take from the British festivals to continental targets. For racegoers and followers of the flat season, the contest offers an opportunity to see how Ascot and Guineas form stands up against the best older horses and international raiders heading into the final weeks of summer.
Final declarations and confirmations of runners and riders will clarify the likely pace setup and potential matchups, but on paper the race presents a satisfying clash between the summer’s high-profile three-year-olds and proven older performers.
