Marie-Francoise & Jaysella’s Sunday Selections for 24th August 2025

Marie-Francoise Sunday Selections from Deauville & Jaysella’s Goodwood Selections

Deauville

Sumbe Prix Kergolay (Group 2) 12.58
Sevenna’s Knight
Oui, I think that Andre Fabre’s Sevenna’s Knight will be the one to win this, but would not be liking the ground too fast. If that is what the ground will be, it could give a chance to Christophe Ferland’s Double Major, who was last year’s winner, and even Presage Nocturne might be with the chance too. Though, Sevenna’s Knight was fifth in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe last year, so has the very good Group One form to bring, and to finish the season last year, Double Major took the Prix Royal-Oak at Saint Cloud with Sevenna’s Knight in second, and that was also a Group One. Maybe Sevenna’s Knight will win this, in front of Double Major but these two are the ones to consider.

Sumbe Prix du Calvados (Group 2) (Fillies) 1.33
Fitzella
I think that the raider from Angleterre will be winning this Prix du Calvados. She is from Hugo Palmer’s yard and won very well in the Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot the last race, with a good attitude to win from the front of the race. Oisin Murphy comes over to France to ride her again, and Fitzella can finish ahead of Andre Fabre’s My Highness, who won here over 1500 metres earlier in this month. Christopher Head’s Ceramic was behind My Highness in that race, so has a small chance, but I think that I will be on Fitzella.

Sumbe Prix Morny (Group 1) (No Geldings) 2.50
Venetian Sun
Maybe the Prix Morny can go to Karl Burke and Venetian Sun, though she will have to be very good to beat Aidan O’Brien’s Gstaad, even getting the Fillies’ allowance. Gstaad won the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot in the very good style, and with the trainer in form can expect a big run in this Group One, one of the most important Juvenile races in the European calendar. But, Venetian Sun won the Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket last month, and that is the form that has been qualified with the second, Royal Fixation winning at York this week in the Lowther Stakes. As well, Charlie Appleby has his Mehmas colt, Wise Approach in this field for a race that has just one French runner, Henri-Francis Devin’s Imperial Me Cen, who is a big outsider. A very, very good renewal of a very important race, but I’m going to take my chance on Venetian Sun.

Sumbe Prix Jean Romanet (Group 1) (Fillies & Mares) 4.00
Quisisana (nb)
This Prix Jean Romanet is a race that is very deep, with Charlie Appleby’s Cinderella’s Dream very much the favourite to win. But, for me Cinderella’s Dream has not been tried at this trip, and there is a bit of more cut in this ground, so this makes a concern for me. Non, I am not convinced that Cinderella’s Dream should be this short a price, and I like the one that is progressing for Francis-Henri Graffard, Quisisana, and also his other one, Cankoura. Mikel Barzalona is on Cankoura, who won the Prix de Pysche here three weeks ago over this course and distance, but I think that Quisisana has the better chance with Christophe Soumillon riding. Aidan O’Brien’s Bedtime Story and Cankoura were second and third in the Prix de Diane, so this is Group One form that looks strong, but I believe Quisisana is not been fully exposed yet and can win.

Goodwood

Virgin Bet Prestige Fillies’ Stakes (Group 3) 2.25
Moon Target (nap)
Well, what a summer we’re having, so it’s nice to get back from York and spend a day on the South Coast at Goodwood. I’m just covering a couple of the Group races on Sunday, after a pretty busy week up at York, and I think that Moon Target is the one to follow in the Prestige Fillies’ Stakes. Sir Mark Prescott’s Cracksman filly really got her act together at Yarmouth three weeks back, and although the field didn’t look too deep, she went through the line going away and the trainer has already stated she’s his best filly. Karl Burke’s Aylin has the benefit of course experience, which counts for plenty here, while Aidan O’Brien brings over Precise, who looks progressive after winning with a bit in hand at Cork ten days ago. These are my three, but Moon Target, who’s bred to go further than this 7 furlongs, can take this Group 3 to make the hat-trick.

Virgin Bet Celebration Mile Stakes (Group 2) 3.35
Saqqara Sands
Plenty of quality in this field, with the likes of Jonquil and Persica, but I like the progressive 3 year old filly Saqqara Sands. She dead-heated here at Glorious Goodwood in the Oak Tree, showing a good attitude, and I think she’s one on the up for Ralph Beckett, so I’m gonna take a chance on her against the more established types lining up here. Jonquil can be argued to have had excuses in the Lennox Stakes at the July meeting, and now has Juddmonte’s retained jockey Colin Keane on board, so this runner-up in the French 2,000 Guineas, the Poule d’Essai des Poulains, has to be high on the shortlist. Persica is sure to be dropped in and come late under Sean Levey, while Make Me King is in with a squeak if taking to this quicker surface. Saqqara Sands for me, I don’t believe we’ve seen the best of her yet and she obviously acts on this track. Fingers crossed.