Blue Bolt and Precise are set to face each other for the second time this season in the Prix Rothschild, held today at Deauville. The two fillies previously met three weeks ago in the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket, where Blue Bolt, now a year older, secured a two-length victory over Precise.
Trained by Andrew Balding and owned by Juddmonte, Blue Bolt has been in strong form this year, boasting six wins from nine career starts. Following the success at Newmarket, Balding and Juddmonte continued their winning streak with Kalpana taking the King George Stakes last weekend, and Item adding another Group Two win at York. Balding expressed confidence in Blue Bolt’s prospects at Deauville, emphasizing her current condition and recent performances. He noted, however, that Blue Bolt has yet to race far from her home base, which introduces an element of uncertainty. "She seems in good nick and if she repeats the performance from Newmarket, she will take a lot of beating," Balding remarked.
On the other side, Precise, trained by Aidan O’Brien, represents a leading competitor in this division. The filly has distinguished herself at the top level over one mile, capturing prestigious titles including the Irish 1,000 Guineas and the Coronation Stakes. With such credentials, Precise remains one of the top contenders in the Prix Rothschild.
The race is expected to be highly competitive, as both fillies have demonstrated exceptional ability in recent months. Blue Bolt seeks to confirm her previous victory over Precise, while the Irish-trained filly aims to overturn that result on French soil. The Prix Rothschild, a Group One event, typically attracts some of Europe’s best middle-distance fillies, making Sunday’s renewal a key test for both horses as they pursue a successful summer campaign.