In the most recent edition of Weekend Winners, the discussion panel devoted considerable attention to the upcoming Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville, a key event on the Aga Khan Studs calendar that takes place on Sunday. The race, a Group 1 contest open to three‑year‑olds and older, has already generated a buzz of speculation among punters and insiders alike.
Although Aidan O'Brien’s filly Precise was beaten by Blue Bolt in her previous outing, she now leads the betting for this prestigious mile‑long showdown. O'Brien’s stable, which celebrated a victory in the same race last year with Diego Velazquez aboard, is eager to repeat that success, and veteran jockey Ryan Moore has been confirmed as the rider for Precise.
The confidence surrounding the Irish yard is palpable, given its recent track record and the quality of its current stable. The British representation in the field includes Zeus Olympios and More Thunder, while Japan will be flown in by Sixpence and Strauss, adding an international flavor to the contest. Among the French contenders, Rayif stands out as a strong contender for trainer Francis‑Henri Graffard, especially after the colt’s impressive triumph in the French 2000 Guineas earlier in the season. "I’m very fond of Rayif, trained by Francis‑Henri Graffard," one analyst explained.
"He will be far more comfortable back over a mile than he was in his last run, where he finished fifth in the Prix Jean Prat over seven furlongs. His Guineas win was dominant, even though he was carrying a cut on his foot.
If he can bounce back to that level, he will be a serious threat." The commentator continued, noting that the horse’s recent performance over seven furlongs against Thesecretadversary was encouraging, particularly because the colt had suffered a setback before Royal Ascot. "He wasn’t ideally placed in that race, but he finished strongly, and there is plenty of pace in this field. He can sit just behind the leaders and he is currently undervalued against the older horses." Echoing that sentiment, another pundit added, "I also back Rayif. I hope he can rediscover the form that made him a French Guineas winner.
In his last outing he was caught in traffic and was in the wrong position. If he can avoid those mistakes, he should be able to build on his previous performance." The panel also highlighted that this will be Rayif’s first start of the season with a clear target and no intervening races to disrupt his preparation. The ground at Deauville is expected to be quick, a stark contrast to the softer surface that helped him on Guineas day. However, Graffard’s connections have indicated that they prefer firmer ground, which could play to Rayif’s strengths.
Beyond the main storyline, the broadcast featured a broader racing round‑up. A weather warning noted that rain could pose a problem for the many international entries planning to travel to France.
Kevin Blake offered his Ebor Festival picks, including a 33/1 outsider for the Nunthorpe Stakes on day three, while Hollie Doyle discussed how the conditions might favor a French filly in that same sprint contest. Kalpana’s gritty performance in the Yorkshire Oaks, which saw her fend off Sparan Nua, was also highlighted as a key moment from day two of the Ebor meeting. Sky Sports Racing’s programming schedule for the day included flat action from Ffos Las, and further commentary from Doyle on Kalpana’s prospects against her Yorkshire Oaks rivals.
The discussion turned back to Precise, with one expert noting, "She is a typical O'Brien three‑year‑old filly—battle‑hardened and well‑run this year. We saw her at Deauville behind Blue Bolt in the Prix Rothschild, where she performed creditably." The only reservation expressed was about the rapid turnaround between races, which could test Precise’s durability despite her proven ability at the highest level. Still, the consensus was that she has the class to take on the older males and potentially secure a Group One victory. Listeners were reminded to stay up‑to‑date with the latest racing news, interviews, and feature stories via their mobile devices, and were invited to watch the full Weekend Winners program on the At The Races YouTube channel.
The segment concluded with a call to action: never miss a story by following the most recent developments in horse racing, ensuring fans are always in the know about upcoming contests like the Prix Jacques Le Marois and beyond.