Prix Maurice de Gheest
The Prix Maurice de Gheest is a Group 1 race run under Weight For Age conditions for three year olds and up at Deauville conducted by France Galop.
The Prix Maurice de Gheest is run over 1300m. It was first run in 1922 and was won by Zariba.
This is the first of sprint races of the season and only one of three sprints for open class horses during the French racing year.
It was named after Maurice de Gheest who was part of the Deauville race course committee.
When grading was introduced in 1971, it was a Group 3. In 1980 it was a G2 and from 1995 became a G1.
The race was not run in 1940 during WWII and a few times afterwards. In those war years it was run at Maisons-Laffitte and Auteuil.
In the last decade 3 x three year olds have won but they were good ones – Muhaarar, Polydream and Advertise.
Both Marchand d'Or and Moonlight Cloud have three wins apiece.
Freddy Head has most training victories with seven including those two horses.
Most wins as a jockey is four by both Lester Piggott and Gerald Mosse.
The last non-French winner was Highfield Princess in 2022 for John Quinn.
The Prix Maurice de Gheest was worth €380,000 in 2023.
Notable winners of the Prix Maurice de Gheest include Marianafoot (2021), Advertise (2019), Muhaarar (2015), Moonlight Cloud (2011/2012/2013), Marchand d'Or (2006/2007/2008), Somnus (2004), Diktat (1999), Anabaa (1996), Cherokee Rose (1995), Dolphin Street (1994), Dead Certain (1990), Never So Bold (1984), Moorestyle (1981), Boitron (1979/1980), Flying Water (1977), Lianga (1974), Nice Guy (1961/1962), Vamarie (1953/1954) and Aziyade (1936/1937).
The 2023 Prix Maurice de Gheest was won by King Gold from Spycatcher and Saint Lawrence.