Elmonjed seeks Deauville riches

Saturday’s racing calendar delivers a double-header of high-stakes flat action, headlined by William Haggas’ Group Three-bound sprinter Elmonjed at Deauville and a crackling Listed clash between Avec Toi and Queen Of The Day. The day’s card, live on Sky Sports Racing from 12.05pm, pits European class against American Grade One stakes, offering punters and trainers alike a chance to gauge form ahead of the summer’s marquee meetings.

A race to watch: Elmonjed’s grade dip at Deauville

Elmonjed steps down to Group Three level for the Prix de Ris-Orangis, a move framed by his Group Two Minster Stakes triumph at York in May. The Haggas-trained sprinter arrives as the market leader, conceding weight to seven rivals in a field stacked with proven performers. Summer Sail, fresh from a narrow Chantilly victory, and Mise En Boite, a consistent performer in his own right, headline the chasing pack. With Elmonjed’s York win still fresh in the memory, Saturday’s outing serves as a test of his ability to handle the step back in class—and the weight concessions that come with it. The Prix de Ris-Orangis, run over six furlongs on Deauville’s tight, undulating track, demands precision from front-runners and a keen sense of pace from those tracking the leaders.

Listed showdowns: Avec Toi vs Queen Of The Day

The early action at Deauville features a Listed clash between unbeaten Avec Toi and Queen Of The Day, two fillies whose recent form has caught the eye. Avec Toi’s Saint-Cloud demolition job, where he distanced his rivals decisively, was backed up when his runner-up went on to win next time out. Queen Of The Day, meanwhile, made a winning debut at Saint-Cloud before following up at the same venue, with her conqueror’s subsequent victory adding further credibility. The Prix Roland de Chambure offers a platform for both to stake a claim in the next tier of races, with Algebre—another Saint-Cloud winner—looming as a potential spoiler in what looks set to be a deep renewal. The track’s quick ground favours those with early pace, and Avec Toi’s front-running style could force Queen Of The Day into an unfamiliar tactical battle.

British challenge: Crownbreaker and Minzelle lock horns

British raiders take centre stage in the Listed Prix Yacowlef, where Karl Burke’s Minzelle faces Kevin Phillipart de Foy’s Crownbreaker. Minzelle, a 450,000gns yearling purchase, announced herself with a third-place finish behind Sea Venture at her debut and then improved markedly to justify short odds at Catterick. Crownbreaker, yet to break his maiden in three starts, ran a career-best fifth behind Victorious in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot—a form line that makes this drop in class a tempting proposition. Drazinda, drawn poorly at Ascot, could rebound here, adding another layer of intrigue to a race where the form book is still being written.

The tactical undercurrent at Deauville favours those who can adapt to the track’s undulating contours and quick ground. Elmonjed’s ability to handle the weight concessions will be pivotal, while Avec Toi and Queen Of The Day’s contrasting styles—one a front-running force, the other a closer—could dictate the pace in their Listed clash. For the British raiders, the Prix Yacowlef represents a chance to translate Royal Ascot promise into tangible success, with both Crownbreaker and Minzelle needing to overcome their respective question marks over stamina and tactical awareness. The six-furlong trip at Deauville suits sprinters, but the undulations demand a horse with a turn of foot rather than pure speed.

Saturday’s card is more than a warm-up for the summer’s headline acts; it’s a proving ground where reputations are burnished or bruised. Elmonjed’s bid for back-to-back wins hinges on his capacity to shrug off the weight burden, while the Listed clashes offer early signals of which youngsters are ready to climb the European ladder. For trainers like Haggas and Burke, the results here will shape decisions for the weeks ahead—whether to press on with Group targets or reassess targets for the autumn. One thing is certain: the winners at Deauville won’t just pocket prize money; they’ll earn the right to be taken seriously when the stakes rise again.