True Love is the market favourite for the 2026 edition of the Prix Maurice de Gheest, a Group 1 sprint that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing at 3:40 p.m. This afternoon’s feature on the channel transports viewers to the historic seaside venue of Deauville, where the filly will lead the field in the prestigious French contest.
The 1000 Guineas champion was narrowly defeated at the same track in last month’s Prix Jean Prat over a mile, a race that was won by the Jersey Stakes victor Thesecretadversary. Having previously triumphed in the Cheveley Park Stakes over the same distance in September, True Love has demonstrated the requisite speed and, more importantly, the versatility that will serve her well both on the track and later as a broodmare.
Jockey Wayne Lordan will take the reins for the French outing, stepping in for Ryan Moore who is unavailable for this start. Stolen Kiss has shown a dramatic upturn in form after being redirected to sprint distances earlier this season. The improvement is evident in his recent performances: he has bested last year’s winner Sajir on two successive occasions and produced a very tight fourth‑place finish in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes. This represents arguably the strongest recent form in the field.
Although he must concede weight to True Love, he could still challenge her under the guidance of trainer Alexis Pouchin. Fresh from a successful campaign at the Goodwood Festival, Wathnan Racing will be eager to add another win, this time with William Haggas’s son of Kingman, Division. Division has hovered just outside the winner’s circle on several occasions this year, finishing second in the Sandy Lane Stakes and third in the Commonwealth Cup, both times behind Venetian Sun.
He also produced a respectable fifth in the July Cup and appears well‑placed to spring a surprise victory at Deauville. Samangan is not to be dismissed, but he will need to improve after being narrowly beaten by Division and True Love in consecutive starts. Take Charge Star, representing jockey Johnny Murtagh, also merits consideration; he was only a neck behind Thesecretadversary—who in turn beat True Love—in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Distant Storm returns to the track after a long lay‑off, having not raced since May when he contested the Group 3 Prix Daphnis at Deauville. His form will be a point of interest for punters looking for a dark horse. In other racing news, Hollie Doyle is expected to feature with Thunder Call in the Shergar Cup at Ascot, which will be shown live on Sky Sports Racing this Saturday. Jamie Lynch will have five horses to watch as international stars clash in the same competition.
Former Premier League striker Kevin Doyle is now pursuing a dream at the Cheltenham Festival with his horses Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi, while at Ascot Kalpana defeated Calandagan in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Legendary jockey Ryan Moore was recently honoured with an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours.
In the classic division, Benvenuto Cellini heads a four‑horse contingent for Aidan O’Brien in the Epsom Derby. Meanwhile, Charlie Appleby has sent a son of Night of Thunder to France in search of his first win since September; the colt placed third in the Dewhurst and began the season with a third in the 2000 Guineas.
The race’s form line has been strong, with Thesecretadversary finishing fifth in the Jersey Stakes and Venetian Prince winning the Italian Derby. Billy Loughnane’s mount closed the gap on Gstaad in the Irish 2000 Guineas and could continue to progress under the Godolphin banner. Komorebi, who was runner‑up in the French 2000 Guineas, underperformed when stretched out for the Prix du Jockey Club, finishing tenth.
Dropping back to a mile appears to suit him, and if he can replicate his earlier mile effort, he will be a serious contender. Campacite was edged out by Komorebi in the French Derby, finishing just behind the winner after also challenging him in April.
His recent run with Hawk Mountain on his penultimate start adds intrigue, and a repeat performance could make him a factor. Lord Clover lacked the acceleration needed to threaten in the German 2000 Guineas, but his earlier French form suggests he could pose a problem for the field. Rounding out the Sunday card at Chepstow, Crimson Road looks to build on a recent victory over the same course and distance in the Capital Windscreens Supports Chepstow Centenary Celebrations Handicap.
In his fourth start for owners John and Rhys Flint, he accelerated sharply inside the final furlong, earning a three‑pound weight increase for his next run, which he should be able to handle. Pride Of Nepal, despite a disappointing run at Epsom, entered the season in blistering form, winning four consecutive races—including a course‑and‑distance triumph at Chepstow in June that completed a hat‑trick. Carrying top weight today, the Tony Carroll‑trained gelding is expected to give Crimson Road a strong challenge.
Overall, the Prix Maurice de Gheest promises a thrilling mix of proven Group winners, emerging sprinters, and seasoned campaigners looking to end their season on a high note. With True Love as the odds‑on favorite, bettors will be watching to see if she can convert her market dominance into a decisive victory on the Deauville turf.