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Preview: The G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.
The G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (2400m) was established in 1904 and originally called the Prix du Président de la République. It was first run at Maisons-Laffitte over 2500m but since 1946 it has become the feature Group One race for four-year-olds and above at Saint-Cloud. Who will gain the mid-summer feature on Sunday? We preview the race.
For many, the Grand Prix de St-Cloud (G1) is a key lead-up race to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) in October. Both races are run over the Classic distance of 2400m, and history shows the last horse to complete the two-race double in the same season was Hellisio in 1996. Walgeist won the Saint-Cloud feature in 2018 but had to wait until 2019 to win the 'Arc'. Youmzain won at Saint Cloud and ran second in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe that year, the 'middle' pin of his three seconds in the Arc.
Many winners of the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud progress to running in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Will this years' victor be good enough to not only participate but also win the great race in October?
The Grand Prix de Saint Cloud is a popular Group One frequently attracting international horses and this year, six of the ten runners are trained outside of France.
André Fabre is the joint leading trainer of winners of the race having won it on eight occasions. This year he has two runners – Baratti and Mare Australis. Baratti is a progressive, and underrated four-year-old, having won five of his seven race starts. He has been taken along gradually and allowed to mature and arrives with a last start 2400m Listed victory at Longchamp. It is accepted this is a big jump in grade, and he is up against more seasoned top-class horses, however Baratti is the best up and coming runner engaged.
Five-year-old Mare Australis was targeted for an Arc campaign last season but suffered a setback after winning the Prix Ganay (G1). This year he has returned finishing a close-up fourth in the 'Ganay' before winning the Grand Prix de Chantilly (G2) one month ago. He is undefeated in two starts over the 2400m journey.
The horse who finished second behind Mare Australis in the Chantilly G2 was Bubble Smart. A four-year-old, he won the Prix Niel (G2) last September before finishing a credible eighth in the Arc, beaten just over five lengths.
Francis-Henri Graffard has filly Sweet Lady engaged. A last start 2100m winner of the Prix Corrida (G2) she has had only one outing over 2400m for a second, last start, beaten three-quarters of a length behind Baratti.
A Classic winner and the best international runner entered is – from the 'in-form' yard of Charlie Abbleby – Hurricane Lane. Winner of six of nine starts, twice over this distance, he arrives having one run only this season starting an odds-on favourite at Royal Ascot (UK) in the Hardwicke Stakes (G2). He disappointed finishing a well-held third behind the winner of this race from last year, Broome. Hurricane Lane is the winner of the Grand Prix de Paris (G1) and Irish Derby (G1) – both races over this distance – and will be fitter for the run. This proven class performer will prove hard to beat.
Classy mare Alpinista is trained at Newmarket (UK) by Sir Mark Prescott. She arrives having won her past five races in succession, with the past two being Group One races in Germany. First up for this season, her 2400m record is impressive with six starts for four wins and two seconds.
Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien has won this race just once – in 2021 with Broome. This year the consistent High Definition receives an opportunity to secure a Group One win having placed the past two starts at that level.
With this field engaged a good race is in store.
