Sunday promises a packed programme of racing across three venues—Brighton, Worcester and the French classic meeting at Deauville—broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. The centerpiece of the day will be the Group One Sumbe Prix Jean et Louis Romanet, where the brilliant three‑year‑old filly Diamond Necklace will lead a top‑class field.
Diamond Necklace has been nothing short of spectacular this season. Trained by Aidan O'Brien, the filly has already amassed six consecutive victories, four of them at the highest Group One level. Her most recent triumph came in the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood, where she displayed a turn of foot and stamina that left her rivals trailing. Going back to Deauville, she will be facing older horses for the first time in the Sumbe Prix Jean et Louis Romanet, but her connections expect her to extend her unbeaten run to seven.
Her blend of speed, tenacity and a proven ability to handle different ground conditions makes her the overwhelming favourite. Joseph O'Brien, Aidan’s son, will have a solid second chance with Rebel Moon, a lively filly who impressed when she finished fourth in the Irish Oaks. Ridden by Dylan Browne‑McMonagle, Rebel Moon has shown that she can stay the distance and possesses a turn of foot that could see her improve on that placing. If she can sharpen her finishing kick, she may well challenge the favourite in the closing stages.
Another strong contender is Aventure, the 2023 Prix Vermeille winner, now in the hands of Christophe Ferland. Aventure was a little off the pace in her recent outing behind Calandagan at Saint‑Cloud, but that performance should be weighed against her dominant Group Two win in May.
If she can rediscover her best form, she will be a serious threat to any of the leading fillies. Red Letter, a well‑handled mare, is rated as the best of the remaining runners.
She has shown consistency at a high level and will be looking to capitalize on any opening that arises during the race. The day also features a thrilling renewal of the Sumbe Prix Morny, a sprint contest that will see eight juveniles line up, including Orthodox and Man’s Best Friend.
Aidan O'Brien again has a triple representation, with Man’s Best Friend being the pick of Ryan Moore. The colt, after a modest fourth place on debut, progressed quickly to a maiden win at Naas and then captured the Group Two Richmond Stakes at Goodwood. That rapid improvement suggests he could be a future star, and the Morny will be his first test over six furlongs.
Great Barrier Reef, who suffered a setback after his Coventry Stakes victory at Royal Ascot, will be closely watched by punters. If he can return to his best form, he could be a dark horse in the sprint. Orthodox, the Norfolk Stakes winner, is another intriguing prospect for trainer Clive Cox. He displayed a blistering turn of foot over five furlongs and should take the step up to six without difficulty, making him a serious contender for the Morny.
Senorita Bonita, who out‑pointed Libertango at Newmarket in her most recent start, will also be in the mix. With a win at York this week, she has shown that she can handle a variety of tracks and distances, adding depth to the field. For the casual viewer, Sky Sports Racing will also deliver the Brighton Summer Series Final, a fiercely competitive handicap race known as the Blackmore Equestrian Construction Handicap, scheduled for 3.50 pm.
Arnaz, representing Mark Loughnane and ridden by his son Billy, arrives in good form after two wins at Chepstow and should be a strong contender in the warm‑weather heat. Other horses with each‑way chances include recent winners Diomed Spirit and Big Time Rascal, while top‑weight Prefer The Sister commands respect after leading the first two furlongs in each of her last five starts.
The programme continues with a series of Group Two contests at Deauville. At 12.58, the Prix du Calvados will feature Dee’s Funny Girl, trained by Donnacha O’Brien, while at 1.33 the Prix Kergorlay will see Santorini Star, a popular choice, taking on Joseph O’Brien’s Defiantly. Finally, back in England at 4.20, Sea Suite will head the Class Four field at Brighton, offering another opportunity for up‑and‑coming talent to shine. Fans can stay up to date with the latest racing news, exclusive interviews and in‑depth features on their mobile devices, ensuring they never miss a story from the world of thoroughbred sport.