Unusual for a Sunday in Deauville during the month of August, there is no Group 1 on the programme, however the Normandy track does offer up a trio of appealing Group events.

Although open to 3 year-olds, the valuable 2500m Grand Prix de Deauville has attracted just older horses. André Fabre’s 4 year-old, Junko, who finished 3rd in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, looks a very attractive proposition, having since won the Gr.3 Prix de Reux, over Sunday’s course and distance, with authority. 

Fenelon, who has endured an interrupted career for clinical reasons, finished 2nd in the 2022 edition and returns for another crack off the back of two Lyon-Parilly Listed successes. Twice a Gr.3 winner, Haya Zark will be expected to make up for his Grand Prix de Chantilly disappointment. Al Nayyir has secured a Deauville Listed since his Emirates sojourn.Twice a Gr.2 winner this year, the German-trained Assistent most recently ran 3rd to Simca Mille in the Gr.1 Grosser Preis von Berlin, and was supplemented to the field on Thursday. Diamond Vendôme and the British-trained Jack Darcy complete the field.

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Restricted to horses from 4 and up, the Prix Quincey, run over a straight mile, sees the much-awaited return of Francis Graffard’s The Revenant who should thoroughly appreciate the extra give in the ground, while recent Clairefontaine Listed winner, Douriann, drops back to a mile for the first time. Locals Yoozuna, Sicilian Defense, Kennella, and Gregarina, all have a theoretical chance. Trained by Simon and Ed Crisford, Poker Face leads the cross-Channel opposition, accompanied by Raadobarg.

3 year-olds take on their older counterparts over a straight 1200m in the Prix de Meautry, and it will not be plane sailing for domestic horses. Batwan, Forza Capitano and Asymmetric  should all acquit themselves honourably, but will come under pressure from dual Gr.3-winner Garrus, American Kestrel and Mill Stream who latterly won a Listed under these conditions.