True Love enters the Deauville showdown as the market favourite for the 2026 renewal of the Group One Prix Maurice de Gheest, a race that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing at 3:40 pm. The French meeting provides a perfect backdrop for the 1000 Guineas champion, who has already demonstrated a potent blend of speed and versatility that makes her a genuine contender for the sprint‑distance contest. The feature segment on Sky Sports Racing today transports viewers to the historic sands of Deauville, where True Love will lead the field in the coveted Prix Maurice de Gheest. Her recent form includes a narrow defeat in the Prix Jean Prat over a mile last month, where she was edged out by the Jersey Stakes winner Thesecretadversary.
That performance, coupled with her September triumph in the Cheveley Park Stakes over the same distance, confirms that True Love possesses the necessary turn of foot to excel over six furlongs. Moreover, her adaptability bodes well for her future as a broodmare, offering breeders a blend of speed and stamina. Wayne Lordan will take the reins for True Love on this French excursion, stepping in for Ryan Moore, who will not be aboard for the race.
Lordan’s experience and familiarity with the horse should prove advantageous as they navigate the straight, testing the colt’s ability to sustain a high cruising speed. Among the challengers, Stolen Kiss has shown a remarkable resurgence after being redirected back to sprint distances earlier in the season.
The colt has now bested last year’s winner Sajir on two consecutive occasions and delivered a close fourth in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, arguably the most compelling form in the field. Although he will be carrying more weight than True Love, Stolen Kiss could still pose a serious threat under the guidance of trainer Alexis Pouchin.
Wathnan Racing, fresh from a successful campaign at Goodwood, will be eager to add another victory to its record, this time with William Haggas’ son of Kingman, Division. Division has consistently hovered near the top of elite sprint races, finishing second in the Sandy Lane Stakes and third in the Commonwealth Cup, both times behind Venetian Sun. A respectable fifth place in the July Cup further underscores his quality, and a win at Deauville would cement his status as a leading sprinter. Samangan cannot be dismissed outright, but the horse will need to improve after recent defeats to Division and True Love in tightly contested finishes.
Take Charge Star, representing jockey Johnny Murtagh, also merits attention. The colt was only a neck behind Thesecretadversary—who, in turn, bested True Love—in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, suggesting he could be a factor if he reproduces that performance. Returning after a lay‑off since May, Distant Storm reappears in the Group Three Prix Daphnis, adding depth to the field.
Meanwhile, a series of ancillary stories will fill the Sky Sports Racing broadcast, including Hollie Doyle’s prediction that Thunder Call will feature prominently in the Shergar Cup at Ascot, and Kevin Doyle’s coverage of a former Premier League striker’s quest for Cheltenham Festival glory with Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi. Additional highlights on the network include Kalpana’s triumph over Calandagan in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Ryan Moore’s receipt of an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours, and Benvenuto Cellini’s role as the lead horse for Aidan O’Brien’s four‑strong contingent in the Epsom Derby. Charlie Appleby, enjoying a period of strong form, sends a son of Night of Thunder to France in pursuit of his first win since September.
The colt previously placed third in the Dewhurst Stakes and began the season with a third‑place finish in the 2000 Guineas, indicating a high level of class. The race’s form line is further enriched by Thesecretadversary’s fifth‑place finish in the Jersey Stakes and Venetian Prince’s victory in the Italian Derby.
Billy Loughnane’s mount, which closed the gap on Gstaad in the Irish 2000 Guineas, may also make an impact under the Godolphin colours. Komorebi, a runner‑up in the French 2000 Guineas, disappointed 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 can repeat his earlier mile performance, he will be a serious contender at Deauville.
Campacite, who was edged out by Komorebi in the French Derby, also shows promise. His penultimate start, a respectable effort behind Hawk Mountain, suggests he could improve and become a player in this sprint contest. Lord Clover, lacking a decisive turn of foot in the German 2000 Guineas, may still find a foothold in the race based on his prior French form, which could catch the judges’ eye. The card concludes with Crimson Road, who aims to replicate his recent success in the Capital Windscreens Supports Chepstow Centenary Celebrations Handicap.
On his fourth start for trainers John and Rhys Flint, he displayed a powerful finishing kick, gaining a three‑pound weight increase after that win, and is expected to be a strong contender again. Finally, Pride Of Nepal, despite a disappointing run at Epsom, has demonstrated consistent form previously, securing 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 likely challenge Crimson Road for the win. Overall, the Prix Maurice de Gheest promises a thrilling mix of proven Group winners, emerging sprinters, and seasoned campaigners.
True Love, backed as the odds‑on favorite, will need to navigate a field rich with talent and weight differentials. Whether she can convert her market dominance into a decisive victory will be the story to watch as the horses thunder down the Deauville straight under the bright French sky.