True Love arrives at Deauville as the market favourite for the 2026 edition of the Prix Maurice de Gheest, a Group One sprint that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing at 3.40 pm. The 1000 Guineas champion has already shown a hint of her class this season, having been narrowly defeated in last month’s Prix Jean Prat over a mile. That race was won by Thesecretadversary, the Jersey Stakes victor, but True Love’s performance confirmed that she possesses the speed and versatility required for the shorter, six‑furlong test at Deauville.
Her connections have opted to send Wayne Lordan to France for the ride, with the experienced jockey stepping in for Ryan Moore, who will be riding another mount in the race. Among the other contenders, Stolen Kiss has made a striking leap forward after being dropped back to sprint distances earlier in the year.
The colt’s recent form includes back‑to‑back victories over last year’s winner Sajir and a razor‑thin fourth place in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, which is arguably the strongest performance in the field. Although he will be conceding weight to True Love, Stolen Kiss could still pose a serious threat if he can replicate his recent displays under the guidance of trainer Alexis Pouchin. Wathnan Racing, fresh from a successful campaign at the Goodwood Festival, will be hoping to add another prize to their tally with William Haggas’ son of Kingman, Division.
Division has been close to winning on several occasions this season, 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 demonstrates his ability to compete at the highest level, and a win at Deauville would be a logical next step. Samangan is not to be dismissed, but the horse will need to improve after being beaten in successive outings by Division and True Love, albeit by narrow margins.
Take Charge Star, representing Johnny Murtagh, also merits consideration after only being out‑finished by Thesecretadversary—a horse that bested True Love in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot—by a neck. Returning after a spell since May, Distant Storm will be making his first start of the season in the Group Three Prix Daphnis, and his form will be watched closely to gauge his readiness for the Deauville sprint. Beyond the main race, Sky Sports Racing will feature a range of other stories throughout the broadcast. Hollie Doyle will discuss the role of Thunder Call in the upcoming Shergar Cup at Ascot, while Kevin Doyle will profile former Premier League striker turned jockey who is targeting Cheltenham Festival glory with Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi.
In other news, Kalpana defeated Calandagan in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and Ryan Moore was honoured with an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours. Charlie Appleby, riding a son of Night of Thunder, will send his colt to France in search of a first win since September.
The horse, who placed third in the Dewhurst and again in the 2000 Guineas, has shown consistency and could benefit from the softer French ground. The race’s form line is intriguing: Thesecretadversary, who finished fifth here, later captured the Jersey Stakes, while Venetian Prince secured the Italian Derby. Billy Loughnane’s mount, which closed the gap on Gstaad in the Irish 2000 Guineas, may also make further progress under the Godolphin colours. Komorebi, who was runner‑up in the French 2000 Guineas, disappointed when stretched out for the Prix du Jockey Club, finishing tenth.
Dropping back to a mile appears to suit him, and if he can repeat his earlier mile performance, he will be a serious contender at Deauville. Campacite, who was narrowly beaten by Komorebi in the French Derby, also showed promise in a recent run with Hawk Mountain, suggesting he could be a factor if he finds the right trip. Lord Clover lacked the acceleration needed to challenge in the German 2000 Guineas, but his earlier French form indicates he may still have the ability to trouble the field on the day. The card will close with a feature on Crimson Road, who is returning to Chepstow after a win in the Capital Windscreens Supports Chepstow Centenary Celebrations Handicap last month.
On his fourth start for owners John and Rhys Flint, the gelding accelerated sharply inside the final furlong, earning a three‑pound weight increase for his next outing. He will be looking to repeat that performance.
Finally, Pride Of Nepal, a Tony Carroll‑trained gelding, will carry top weight after a disappointing run at Epsom. The horse had been in excellent form previously, winning four consecutive races, including a course‑and‑distance victory at Chepstow in June that completed a hat‑trick.
With a strong record and the advantage of weight, Pride Of Nepal is expected to challenge Crimson Road for the final prize of the day. Overall, the Deauville meeting promises a blend of established Group One talent and rising sprinters eager to make a mark.
True Love, as the odds‑on favourite, will be under intense scrutiny, but the depth of the field ensures a competitive and entertaining race for the viewers on Sky Sports Racing.