On Sunday at Deauville-La Touques Racecourse, the Prix Rothschild – Fonds Européen de l’Élevage – World Pool by PMU (Group 1, the highest level of horseracing competition) provided the first major highlight of the 2026 Deauville Barrière Meeting. The visiting fillies dominated proceedings. The pecking order established in the Falmouth Stakes (Group 1) at Newmarket on 10 July was confirmed on the Normandy track. However, Britain’s Blue Bolt had to give everything to hold off Ireland’s Precise. Another British filly, Moon Target, retained third place after setting the pace.

Blue Bolt carries the colours of Juddmonte Farms, the Abdullah family’s racing operation. She is trained by Andrew Balding and was ridden by Colin Keane. Bred in Ireland by the Hayes family, she was offered as a yearling at the 2023 Arqana sales, where bidding reached €400,000. This major event on the French breeding calendar will take place in two weeks’ time at the sales complex located very close to the racecourse.

Andrew Balding said “She really is a remarkable filly. Her jockey, Colin Keane, gave her a wonderful ride. I was not feeling particularly confident while watching the race: I thought we were going to be beaten in the final 200 metres, but he judged her effort perfectly. It is fantastic.

For a filly, she has tremendous physical power. That is undoubtedly her greatest asset. She also has an extraordinary will to fight, which helps enormously.

I would also like to thank the entire team at home. Alfie Redman, who rides her every day, has done an outstanding job. She is not easy: she likes to take control, but over the past six months he has really managed to channel her and has done excellent work with her.

Blue Bolt likes to race prominently. She gallops with tremendous power and knows how strong she is. The key is therefore to channel that energy in the right direction. Colin also did a remarkable job.

What is so valuable about her is that she is equally effective on all types of ground, which is a major advantage.

I think we have always regarded the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown as her main target of the year. And after that… we shall see! Who knows…”

Photo: Scoop Dyga