Prix Morny 2025 Preview – Runners Guide to Juvenile Race of the Season at Deauville

The Group 1 Prix Morny over 1,200m at Deauville is always an informative race for two-year-olds. This season’s renewal of the €420,000 juvenile contest looks exceptional as half-a-dozen talented youngsters take to the track on the Normandy Coast on Sunday, 24 August.

Aidan O’Brien confirmed both of his Royal Ascot winners in True Love and Gstaad. The filly won’t travel from Ireland, however, leaving the latter as Ballydoyle’s sole representative in an event they landed 12 months ago with Whistlejacket and in 2022 courtesy of Blackbeard.

Yorkshire trainer Karl Burke sends his unbeaten filly Venetian Sun across the Channel, meanwhile, after her form received a boost during the Ebor Festival in midweek. Joining her in the Prix Morny line-up from the UK is Clive Cox’s Glorious Goodwood scorer Coppull, who resumes his rivalry with Gstaad.

Godolphin also have representation with Charlie Appleby switching targets for Gimcrack Stakes ante-post favourite Wise Approach. He steps up in grade after previously chasing home the highly-regarded Charles Darwin during the Royal meeting and landing a Listed race last time out.

Wesley Ward isn’t averse to shipping a talented juvenile over from America for this with fillies Lady Aurelia and Campanelle making successful transatlantic raids. The latest to leave his Keeneland base for Deauville is Outfielder, who won his sole start at Churchill Downs in some style.

Sole domestic French runner Imperial Me Cen looks to have his work cut out for him against a strong Anglo-Irish challenge. It promises to be a fascinating and informative race with traders pricing it up at British horse racing bookies knowing plenty about most in the field. Over now to our experts for more on these top juvenile prospects.

Prix Morny 2025 Runners Guide

1. Outfielder

Effortless wide-margin winner of 1,200m Churchill Downs maiden on only start to date. Looked as though would have no problem getting another furlong or so. Commands respect, given barn has won this twice before.

2. Coppull

Proved 66/1 Coventry Stakes third when 3.25 lengths behind Gstaad was no fluke when landing a Group 2 at Glorious Goodwood latest. Comfortable win over this trip and now takes next logical step. Definite Prix Morny claims, but also something to find with re-opposing Royal Ascot winner.

3. Gstaad

An 11th win for Aidan O’Brien in this race 👏

GSTAAD is an emphatic winner of the Coventry Stakes 🏆#RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/Bh10jyaUpv

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) June 17, 2025

Unbeaten colt who impressed when following-up on his Navan maiden win with Group 2 success during the Royal meeting and had Coppull back in third. Both pieces of form franked, so looks the leading contender here.

4. Wise Approach

🏆 The @IREthoroughbred-Incentive – It Pays To Buy Irish Rose Bowl Stakes 🏆

🥇 Wise Approach
🥈 Rock On Thunder
🥉 Amorim

Wise Approach makes it look very easy winning under William Buick for Charlie Appleby ⚡ pic.twitter.com/Ba4WDVILFH

— Newbury Racecourse (@NewburyRacing) July 18, 2025

Group 2 Norfolk Stakes runner-up on penultimate outing before cashing in on an ease in grade with four-length Listed success at Newbury upped to this trip latest. Comes over for the Prix Morny instead of the Gimcrack at York. One of the more exposed runners in the line-up.

5. Imperial Me Cen

Listed winner at Vichy over the minimum distance. Third and fourth since in Chantilly Group races including Prix Robert Papin latest. Most to find on that evidence and needs career best now, but previous effort when only beaten a length in Prix du Bois means he’s not a forlorn hope.

6. Venetian Sun

Venetian Sun maintains her unbeaten start by landing the Group Two Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes, winning impressively for the duo of @CliffordleexLee and @karl_burke 🔥 pic.twitter.com/1u0BTcXCuy

— Newmarket Racecourse (@NewmarketRace) July 11, 2025

Unbeaten filly who followed-up on Group 3 success during Royal Ascot by holding a subsequent Group 2 winner in that grade by a neck at the Newmarket July Festival latest. Gets weight all-round and that could make a huge difference with females landing this in the past.

Prix Morny 2025 Shortlist & Verdict

This will likely to go to one of the unbeaten runners as Gstaad and VENETIAN SUN also boast the best form. Narrow preference is for the latter who, although not as fresh as the Ballydoyle raider, does have the fillies’ allowance on her side. Gstaad is a massive danger, however, and has the beating of Coppull based on their Royal Ascot encounter.

The unknown quantity is US raider Outfielder, who showed lots of speed at home, but is light on experience. Godolphin aim big with Wise Approach, meanwhile, but the Gimcrack may have been a more winnable race for him as a stepping stone to the Middle Park at local track Newmarket in the autumn instead.

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