A competitive field is set to contest the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest over 1,300 meters at Deauville on August 9, featuring several notable horses with recent high-profile performances.
Among the leading contenders is True Love, trained by Aidan O’Brien, who returns after a strong showing in the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat at the same venue in July, where she finished a close second over 1,400 meters. The filly, ridden by Wayne Lordan, previously won the English Group 1 1000 Guineas at Newmarket in May over 1,600 meters, demonstrating her versatility over varying distances. True Love is considered a major contender if she exhibits her customary speed.
Also in the lineup is Samangan, a promising three-year-old who impressed with a fourth-place finish in the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat on July 12, narrowly beaten by one length despite early pace misjudgments. He previously chased home Afandy in France’s traditional classic trial running on the same straight at Deauville in April. Afandy himself is expected to improve after finishing fourth in his sole outing since that trial.
Wise Approach, representing Godolphin, seeks to rediscover the form that saw him secure the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes over 1,200 meters last season. Though his current campaign has been underwhelming, including a non-factor run at Royal Ascot where he notably lost a shoe, connections hope he can regain his juvenile form in this race.
Take Charge Star has shown promising recent performances, including a neck second behind a top-class rival at Royal Ascot. His trainer rates him highly, particularly after a strategic drop in distance. Meanwhile, Division, a specialist speedster, comes in with solid credentials, having finished a close third in the Group 1 Royal Ascot 1,200-meter race and a respectable fifth in the Group 1 July Cup Stakes at Newmarket.
Other horses in the field include Stolen Kiss, a progressive four-year-old with three wins this season, who finished fourth in a Royal Ascot Group 1 sprint over 1,200 meters. Mise En Boite has demonstrated improvement with a recent Group 3 win at Deauville’s 1,200-meter course, while M’Calyx Cen, fresh off winning a Group 3 contest at Chantilly, seeks to bounce back from an unlucky run at Royal Ascot.
Local contender Summer Sail is also in the mix but faces an uphill task against stronger, more experienced rivals, having placed last in a recent Group 3 race at Deauville.
The race’s diverse lineup represents a cross-section of emerging talent and established performers, with several horses aiming to build on recent form in what promises to be a competitive sprint on Deauville’s all-weather track. Observers will watch closely to see if True Love can confirm her status as a leading filly at this distance or if the speed specialists will prevail.