Prix Maurice de Gheest 2025 Preview – Runners Guide as Godolphin Run 3 in Unique 1,300m Deauville Sprint

The Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest of 2025 at Deauville sees global owner-breeders Godolphin launch a three-pronged attack on the race over a unique 1,300m distance on Sunday, 10 August. Their blue silks figure most in the field of 11 declared on the Normandy Coast.

Charlie Appleby appears hellbent on reinventing Dewhurst Stakes hero and 2000 Guineas third Shadow Of Light as a sprinter. He also supplies another string for his retained owners in Sandy Lane scorer Symbol Of Honour. Godolphin’s third runner is Tribalist for Andre Fabre and better known as a miler.

Francis-Henri Graffard has a couple of three-year-olds in the line-up too with Prix Jean Prat winner Woodshauna and the Aga Khan Studs filly Rayveka. Only one horse from this younger generation has prevailed in the Prix Maurice de Gheest since 2019, and that came 12 months ago.

Lazzat is back to defend his crown and favourite to do so with horse racing betting sites in the UK after landing the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes during Royal Ascot. Jerome Reynier’s Wathnan Racing sprinting star held off Japanese raider Satono Reve by half-a-length and had re-opposing seventh Inisherin from the Kevin Ryan stable well-beaten.

Christopher Head saddles Topgear, meanwhile, who lost both shoes and thus all chance at Ascot. He’s another from the home team here, alongside Yann Barberot’s Beauvatier and Sajir also representing Fabre. Ed Bethell seven-year-old Regional completes the field for another absorbing sprint contest. Learn more about all of these horses below.

Prix de Maurice Gheest 2025 Runners Guide

1. Inisherin

Goes well fresh. Not matched form of late spring and early summer 2024 when reinvented as a sprinter, but won Group 2 at local track on reappearance. Six lengths to find with Lazzat on Royal Ascot form latest. Withdrawn at the start in July Cup. Seems to be a horse for the first half of Flat season.

2. Beauvatier

⭕ #Deauville – Singapore Pools – Prix de Ris-Orangis (Gr.3)
BeauvatiER (M4, Lope de Vega) signe un 2e succès de Groupe pour Ph. Allaire, Haras d’Etreham & LNJ Foxwoods, entraîné par Y. Barberot et monté par A. Pouchin.
Spycatcher et Tribalist complètent le podium.@sgpools pic.twitter.com/QiFZNBcnNV

— France Galop (@francegalop) July 6, 2025

Dual Group 3 winner and scored here in Listed company over 1,400m as a juvenile. Third to Lazzat in Prix Maurice de Gheest 12 months ago and filled same spot in the Foret on Arc day. Beaten just a length when fourth in the Champions Sprint at Ascot on his final start last season. Flopped behind Topgear on reappearance, then landed 1,200m contest here latest.

3. Sajir

Mighty run rolls on for @BallylinchStud stallions as André Fabre’s SAJIR (IRE) lands G3 Abernant Stakes under @oismurphy. ⚡️

4yo colt a homebred for Prince A A Faisal, sired by his homebred multiple G1 winner Make Believe, also trained by Fabre! 👏pic.twitter.com/HY0LB7isFO

— ITM (@IREthoroughbred) April 16, 2025

No win in three previous visits to Deauville, but also won a couple of Group 3s elsewhere including at Newmarket on his penultimate start. No match for Topgear latest, but 2lb better off with the winner. Upset in the stalls and withdrawn late at Royal Ascot. Last jockey to win on him back aboard.

4. Regional

Almost two years since this gelding last won a race. Runner-up in last season’s King Charles III Stakes at Ascot and third on all three starts this term. The Prix Maurice de Gheest is his first try beyond six furlongs, but it’s worth doing something new with the oldest in the line-up at this stage of his career.

5. Tribalist

⭕ #SaintCloud – Prix du Muguet (Gr II)
Tribalist (H6 Farhh) renoue avec le succès de Groupe en dominant le jumelé @godolphin aux dépens de Vertbois (Night of Thunder). Le pensionnaire d’André Fabre, monté par @mickaelbarzalon, confirme son retour au top sur le mile. pic.twitter.com/m5Jb12MLS4

— France Galop (@francegalop) May 1, 2025

No better than third in five previous Deauville outings, but a real Saint-Cloud specialist landing the same Group 2 over a mile for three consecutive seasons in the spring. Career best when landing Group 1 Prix du Moulin at Longchamp last September. Weakened into third here behind Beauvatier latest.

6. Topgear

With a name like Topgear are we surprised he accelerated clear like that? 🤣

He wins the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards Challenge Stakes 💥@godolphin pic.twitter.com/KSyYaccPgo

— Newmarket Racecourse (@NewmarketRace) October 11, 2024

Won three of last four starts, all over 1,400m / seven furlongs. Lost a couple of shoes in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes during Royal Ascot latest, so can be forgiven that. Worth another go in this as a strong stayer at this trip and has gone well at Deauville in the past.

7. Lazzat

Won both career starts at Deauville including this 12 months ago. Unlucky runner-up in the Golden Eagle over in Australia at the end of last year. Better than ever when making all the running in Group 1 during Royal Ascot latest. The one to beat defending his title.

8. Shadow Of Light

ICYMI:

Shadow Of Light wins the Dewhurst Stakes! 🏆#ITVRacing pic.twitter.com/dkF7yvj3NS

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) October 13, 2024

Dual Group 1 winner from Newmarket last autumn and not disgraced when third in the 2000 Guineas there on reappearance. Dropped back in trip since without success, finishing fifth in the Commonwealth Cup and fourth in the Prix Jean Prat here latest. Going down another 100m for the Prix Maurice de Gheest doesn’t look immediately obvious answer as he could be another miler.

9. Symbol Of Honour

Symbol Of Honour wins the Sandy Lane Stakes 💙

Some day in the office for @WilliamBuickX 🤝

pic.twitter.com/3bxHSli9pH

— Great British Racing (@GBRacing) May 24, 2025

Improved a lot this season, culminating in Haydock Group 2 victory. No way through the field when eighth in July Cup latest. Unproven on ground slower than good, but it’s worth trying this assignments with questions over two owner companions in the line-up.

10. Woodshauna

Improved and reversed past Deauville form with Maranoa Charlie when landing the 1,400m Group 1 Prix Jean Prat for three-year-olds here latest. Just held on and now steps up another half-furlong in distance. Obvious claims in the Prix Maurice de Gheest for a top French stable.

11. Rayveka

Narrow third in Group 1 Commonwealth Cup during Royal Ascot latest. Second and fourth have both come out and won races since with Shadow Of Light back in fifth. Winner not disgraced when third under a penalty at Glorious Goodwood. Form working out well and gets weight all-round. Cannot be discounted.

Prix Maurice de Gheest 2025 Shortlist & Verdict

This could well stay with the home team and last year’s winner LAZZAT goes on any ground. He is the one the field must beat if they’re to land this top sprint. Bottom weight Rayveka and her stable companion Woodshauna both look big dangers receiving sex and/or weight for age allowances, however. Topgear could also go well despite being a six-year-old.

Each of the UK runners have doubts hanging over them. Shadow Of Light and Regional must prove they act over the trip, while Symbol Of Honour found no way through at Newmarket. Inisherin must demonstrate he can take his racing into the second half of the campaign, meanwhile.

Michael Lee

Betting Expert

Michael Lee

Betting Expert

Michael has worked in the sports betting industry for many years. Following football, horse racing and track and field athletics, he has covered the last three Olympic Games, World Cups and other major sporting events.

All posts by Michael Lee