A distinctive distance and a history of producing champion sprinters will again bring together horses from across Europe when the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest is staged at Deauville on Sunday.
Run over the straight 1300m under weight-for-age conditions, the €380,000 feature sits between a conventional sprint and a 1400m contest. It demands enough speed to hold a position against specialist sprinters, but also the stamina to finish strongly through the final stages.
That unusual examination has attracted a potentially strong international field for the 2026 edition, with Classic-winning filly True Love currently the standout among 12 horses remaining after the latest declaration stage.
The daughter of No Nay Never is expected to return to Deauville after finishing second to Thesecretadversary in the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat over 1400m on July 12.
That was her first experience of the straight course and provided Aidan O’Brien with enough encouragement to consider bringing her back four weeks later. The drop to 1300m represents another change in distance, but True Love has already demonstrated the versatility required for the assignment.
A winner of the 1000 Guineas earlier in the season, True Love possesses the class of a leading three-year-old miler but has also shown enough speed to compete over shorter distances. Her Jean Prat performance suggested Deauville suits, and she now has an opportunity to add an open-age sprint to her Classic success.
O’Brien has indicated that True Love had come through her previous Deauville appearance in good order and would be the stable’s principal runner, with decisions on any additional representatives dependent on the remaining declarations and final trackwork.
British interest includes Mitbaahy, who could make a rapid return after finishing third in the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood last weekend.
The Charlie Hills-trained seven-year-old produced an excellent performance from his side of the track, falling only a neck short after appearing to win the race among the group closest to him. It continued a strong campaign that also included a solid Wokingham effort and a second placing in the Group 3 Hackwood Stakes at Newbury.
Mitbaahy has previously demonstrated Group 2 ability, most notably when winning the Greenlands Stakes in Ireland in 2024. His recent performances suggest he is returning to something close to that level after encountering several issues following the Curragh victory.
The short turnaround remains the central concern. Hills will assess how the gelding has recovered before confirming plans, but Mitbaahy reportedly emerged from Goodwood in encouraging condition. His combination of race fitness and established sprinting ability would make him an interesting contender if connections elect to travel.
William Haggas will be represented by Division, who finished fifth in the July Cup after enduring little luck in running. The Newmarket performance was better than the bare result and brings an important piece of Group 1 sprint form into the race.
George Boughey’s consistent mare Rosy Affair also remains in consideration, while Charlie Appleby could rely on last season’s Middle Park Stakes winner Wise Approach. The Godolphin runner needs to rebound from his latest performance but remains capable of better on his juvenile form.
France’s challenge is likely to be headed by Samangan, Stolen Kiss and the improving Mise En Boite.
Stolen Kiss was last seen finishing a close fourth in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, beaten only a neck after competing against leading international sprinters. That performance places the Patrice Cottier-trained runner firmly among the major chances should he take his place.
Francis-Henri Graffard’s Samangan adds further strength to the home team, while Mise En Boite earned his opportunity at the highest level with an impressive victory in the Group 3 Prix de Ris-Orangis over 1200m at Deauville on July 4.
The Xavier Blanchet-trained runner is already proven on the straight course and has also won over 1400m, suggesting the additional 100m will not present a problem. His latest victory provided Blanchet with his first Group success and encouraged connections to test the gelding in Group 1 company.
Mise En Boite also has several suitable sprint targets later in the season, but his current condition has persuaded the stable to take its opportunity on Sunday. Leading media have listed him alongside Stolen Kiss among the leading French-trained contenders remaining after the latest declaration stage.
The race has lost several notable names.
July Cup winner Comanche Brave will bypass Deauville, with Donnacha O’Brien preferring the Group 1 City of York Stakes over 1400m on August 22.
Venetian Sun, runner-up in the July Cup, has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a tendon-related injury. Karl Burke had already been leaning away from Deauville because of the prospect of fast ground, but the setback ended any possibility of the filly taking her place.
Burke’s Greenham Stakes winner Alparslan is also unavailable after being sold to continue his career in Hong Kong, while recent Prix Texanita winner Dostoievsky is a notable absentee from the French contingent.
The final composition of the field remains subject to the declarations; however, the presence of True Love and the depth of the French sprinting team should ensure another strong renewal.
By Scott Bailey – iRACE
