O’Brien’s Precise Targets Back-to-Back Deauville Victory in Prix Jacques le Marois
The four-time Group 1 winner faces a competitive field including More Thunder and Zeus Olympios in Sunday’s prestigious race at the Normandy track.
Aidan O’Brien is set to contest the 2026 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Sunday afternoon, seeking a second consecutive victory in the Group 1 event. O’Brien will field Precise, a filly with a strong record in major races, against a challenging lineup of international competitors. The race, sponsored by The Aga Khan Studs, is scheduled for broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing.
Precise, ridden by jockey Ryan Moore, enters the contest as a four-time Group 1 winner. Her profile includes victories in the Irish 1000 Guineas and the Coronation Stakes, following earlier Group 1 successes at two years old. However, her recent form has seen her beaten twice in open company by Blue Bolt, raising questions about her ability to reverse that trend against higher-class opposition.
The field presents significant challenges, particularly from More Thunder and Zeus Olympios. More Thunder aims to reverse recent form against William Haggas’s Zeus Olympios, who performed strongly in Ascot’s Summer Mile under Sam James. Zeus Olympios has previously finished second in Group 1 company on two occasions and is seeking his first top-tier win.
Other notable contenders include Thesecretadversary, who has been rerouted to Deauville after winning the Prix Jean Prat. Originally targeted for the City Of York Stakes, his entry follows the retirement of Bow Echo and the ruling out of Gstaad. French contender Rayif, trained by Mickael Barzalona, is expected to improve over the mile distance despite a disappointing run as favourite in the Prix Jean Prat.
The outcome may be influenced by the fillies’ allowance, a factor that could prove crucial in such a competitive renewal. O’Brien’s team also features Christopher Head’s son of No Nay Never, who has won both starts this season, including a sparkling performance at Deauville. The race underscores the depth of talent in the European middle-distance circuit as trainers vie for prestige in the lead-up to the Arc weekend.
