True Love enters the 2026 edition of the Prix Maurice de Gheest as the market favourite, with the race set to be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing at 3:40 p.m. The feature segment on Sky Sports Racing this afternoon transports viewers to the historic seaside venue of Deauville, where the Group One contest will see True Love leading a strong field of sprinters and milers. The 1000 Guineas champion was narrowly defeated in her most recent outing at the Prix Jean Prat over a mile, where she was edged out by Thesecretadversary, the winner of the Jersey Stakes.
Despite that close loss, True Love’s performance demonstrated that she still possesses the turn of foot and stamina required for the seven-furlong test of the Maurice de Gheest. Her previous triumph in the Cheveley Park Stakes over the same distance in September confirms her speed, while her versatility suggests she will become a valuable broodmare in the years to come. The Irish rider Wayne Lordan will take the reins for the French trip, stepping in for Ryan Moore, who is unavailable for the event.
Stolen Kiss has shown a remarkable improvement after being dropped back to sprint distances earlier in the season. The colt has now beaten last year’s winner, Sajir, on two consecutive occasions and produced a very tight fourth‑place finish in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes. This form line makes Stolen Kiss arguably the most compelling challenger to True Love, even though he will carry more weight. Under the guidance of trainer Alexis Pouchin, he could still give the favourite a serious run.
Wathnan Racing, fresh from a successful campaign at the Goodwood Festival, will be eager to add another victory to their record. Their entry is a son of Kingman trained by William Haggas, who has already tested the waters in top‑class sprinting this year, finishing second in the Sandy Lane Stakes and third in the Commonwealth Cup, both times behind Venetian Sun. A respectable fifth in the July Cup further proves his consistency.
Given his proven ability to stay close to the pace, he could easily spring a surprise and take the win. Samangan is not to be dismissed, but he will need to produce a stronger performance after being narrowly beaten by Division and True Love in recent races. Take Charge Star, representing jockey Johnny Murtagh, also merits attention, having been beaten only a neck by Thesecretadversary – the horse that previously bested True Love in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Distant Storm returns to the track after a long lay‑off since May, having last competed in the Group Three Prix Daphnis. The connections will be hoping that the break has refreshed the horse and that he can pick up his previous form. In related Sky Sports Racing coverage, Hollie Doyle will discuss Thunder Call’s role in the upcoming Shergar Cup at Ascot, while Kevin Doyle will profile former Premier League striker turned jockey chasing Cheltenham Festival glory with Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi. Additional highlights include Kalpana’s triumph over Calandagan in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Ryan Moore’s recent MBE award in the King’s Birthday Honours, and Benvenuto Cellini leading Aidan O’Brien’s four‑horse contingent for the Epsom Derby.
Charlie Appleby, in excellent form, sends a son of Night of Thunder to France, seeking his first win since September. The colt was third in the Dewhurst Stakes and began the season with a third‑place finish in the 2000 Guineas.
Recent form from the race’s participants has been encouraging: Thesecretadversary secured fifth in the Jersey Stakes, while Venetian Prince captured the Italian Derby. Billy Loughnane’s mount, which closed the gap on Gstaad in the Irish 2000 Guineas, could also make further progress under the Godolphin banner.
Komorebi, who finished second in the French 2000 Guineas, underperformed when stretched out for the Prix du Jockey Club, finishing tenth. A return to the mile distance appears to suit him best, and if he replicates his earlier mile performance, he will be a serious contender.
Campacite, after finishing just behind Komorebi in the French Derby, was also beaten by him in April. However, his recent run behind Hawk Mountain suggests he could improve and become a factor in the race.
Lord Clover lacked the acceleration needed to challenge in the German 2000 Guineas, but his prior French form indicates he could still pose a threat at Deauville. The card concludes with Crimson Road, who won the Capital Windscreens Supports Chepstow Centenary Celebrations Handicap over the same course and distance last month. On his fourth start for trainers John and Rhys Flint, he displayed a decisive turn of foot in the final furlong and has been assigned an additional three pounds for his recent success, yet he remains a strong contender. Pride Of Nepal, despite a disappointing run at Epsom, entered the season with a streak of four consecutive victories, including a course‑and‑distance win at Chepstow in June that completed a hat‑trick.
Carrying top weight today, the Tony Carroll‑trained gelding will be looking to match Crimson Road’s performance and could prove decisive in the final stages of the race. Overall, the Prix Maurice de Gheest promises an exciting blend of proven Group One talent, rising sprinters, and seasoned milers. With True Love as the odds‑on favourite, the race will test whether her class can overcome the weight concessions and the depth of the field. Fans can expect a tactical battle over the seven‑furlong straight, with jockeys likely to position their mounts just behind the pace before launching a decisive run in the last two furlongs.
The outcome will not only influence the remainder of the European sprint calendar but also shape breeding decisions for the next generation of thoroughbreds, as owners and trainers assess which horses possess the blend of speed and stamina required for future classic and Group One contests.