It’s a big weekend for the speedsters of the racing world, with Group 1 action from Ireland and France. The stars of the future are the focus in the Phoenix Stakes from the Curragh on Saturday afternoon. Twenty-four hours later, Deauville’s Prix Maurice de Gheest is all about the current king of Europe’s sprint division.
Making its debut at the Normandy track in 1922, the Prix Maurice de Gheest has over a century of history behind it. During that time, the six-and-a-half-furlong showpiece has fallen to a plethora of sprinting greats, including Anabaa, Diktat, Muhaarar, and Marchand d’Or, who claimed three successive editions between 2006 and 2008.
In 2025, 11 hopefuls set out to add their name to that roll of honour and claim the lion’s share of the £314,050 prize pool. Three British raiders are included in that number, but they may have their work cut out to deny one of the stars of the Royal Ascot Festival.
Lazzat Looks Good to Defend His Crown
Marseille-based trainer Jérôme Reynier claimed a first Prix Maurice de Gheest triumph with Marianafoot in 2021 – 12 years after first taking out a licence. He waited only three years to add a second with Lazzat.
Arriving at Deauville in 2024 with a perfect five-from-five record – headlined by a pair of Group 3 wins, Lazzat was expected to play a role in the finish on his first outing in Group 1 company. In the end, the mount of Antonio Orani was the only runner involved at the line, as Lazzat simply blew his rivals away to score by a widening three lengths.
Three defeats followed, including two when stepped up to seven furlongs, but that Deauville display lingered in the memory of Wathnan Racing. Keen to add to their 2025 Royal Ascot team, the powerful operation purchased Lazzat for an undisclosed sum on 18 June. A mere three days later, Wathnan received their first repayment, as Lazzat picked up £567,100 for his impressive verdict over Japanese speedball Satono Reve in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.
Now a dual Group 1 winner, proven at the track, and bang in form, Lazzat is the clear market leader for Sunday’s contest. However, there is rarely such a thing as a one-horse race, and a trio of British-trained challengers head to Deauville with high hopes.
Ryan Runner Leads British Charge
When looking at the recent results of this race, British trainers have every right to be optimistic. Thanks to the exploits of Richard Hannon Sr., John Gosden, Tim Easterby, William Haggas, David Nicholls, Richard Fahey, Charles Hills, Kevin Ryan, Martyn Meade, Charlie Appleby, and John Quinn, British trainers lifted the trophy in 11 of the 25 editions between 2000 and 2024.
In 2025, hopes hinge on a pair of trainers who already know what it takes to beat the best of the French sprinters in their own backyard:
Inisherin
In the absence of a runner from the yard of Aidan O’Brien, Ryan Moore partners this Kevin Ryan-trained four-year-old. With a pair of Group 2 victories and a career-best Group 1 success in the 2024 Commonwealth Cup, there is no doubting Inisherin’s talent. However, it is becoming hard to predict whether he will put his best hoof forward on the day. Excellent on his seasonal return in the 1895 Duke Of York Clipper Stakes, he took a step backwards when only seventh in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes – finishing six lengths behind Lazzat. Inisherin will need to leave that run behind if he is to repeat the feat of Brando, who won the 2017 edition of this for Kevin Ryan.
Shadow Of Light
Space Blues provided Charlie Appleby, William Buick, and Godolphin with a famous win in the 2020 renewal. Five years on, Shadow Of Light represents that same combination. Almost flawless during his juvenile campaign, this Lope De Vega colt won four of five starts, including the Middle Park Stakes and Dewhurst Stakes. Thus far, 2025 hasn’t quite gone to plan. However, the three-year-old hasn’t been disgraced in finishing third in the 2,000 Guineas, a close fifth in the Commonwealth Cup, and an even closer fourth in the Prix Jean Prat. Not quite quick enough over six furlongs at Ascot, and run-down close home in the seven-furlong Prix Jean Prat, could this in-between trip be ideal?
Symbol Of Honour
Fully 10 pounds behind Shadow Of Light on ratings, the second Appleby runner has a lot to find on paper. However, he does boast a solid record in sprint contests, winning five of eight starts over six furlongs. His eighth-place finish in the July Cup is short of the required standard, but he had previously looked good when mastering a quality field in the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock.
Will Lazzat confirm his status as Europe’s leading sprinter, or will the prize head to Britain once more? This Sunday afternoon highlight promises to be a cracker.
