The last four runnings of Sunday’s big Group One in France have gone to horses trained in England or Ireland – but this year with ALL five Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud runners coming from France this run will end.
The entries are headed by regular silver medal winner Calandagan, who will be looking to bounce back from his recent second in the Coronation Cup at Epsom behind the gutsy Jan Brueghel.
But he certainly won’t have things his own way, with stablemate and 2024 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Goliath, plus last year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe runner-up Aventure taking him on.
Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud Runners 2025
There are only five Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud runners heading to post for one of the big French Group One races of the season.
But what the race lacks in quantity it makes up for in quality.
The contest, however, won’t be seen on ITV Racing on Sunday – but can be watched on Sky Sports Racing.
Let’s take a look at each of the five entries.
CALANDAGAN
Owned by the Aga Khan Studs, this classy middle-distance performer needs little introduction.
He was a nice winner of the King Edward VII Stakes at the 2024 Royal Ascot meeting, but since then has been chinned into second in all of his next four races.
These included the 2024 Juddmonte International at York and has been a losing favourite in his next three starts. With the most recent a second in the Coronation Cup at Epsom (watch below).
He’s still won £1,856,205 in total prize money from his ten races and will be looking to become the first winner for the Aga Khan studs since Zarak in 2017.
But after a string of seconds, Calandagan is fast getting himself a reputation of downing tools when in a battle – so all eyes will be on him again in the finish.
His trainer Francis-Henri Graffard and jockey Mickael Barzalona are both looking for their first wins in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.
IRESINE
Now aged 8, this J-P Gauvin entry will be by-far the oldest Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud runner in the field this year and will be having his 28th career start.
He’s won a massive 16 of those though, so certainly knows how to get his head in front at the line.
With his most recent coming just two runs ago at Lyon Parilly in a Listed race over 1m4f.
His only Group One win came in the Prix Ganay in 2023 and also has a bit to find with Calandagan (2nd) based on his fourth in the Champion Stakes at Ascot last season.
GOLIATH
It was David vs Goliath (but the other way around) in last year’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot – as this F-H Graffard runner defied his 25/1 odds to see off future Arc winner Bluestocking.
He’s since landed the G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris and took the G3 La Coupe at Longchamp earlier this month.
Win, lose or draw here – providing he doesn’t totally bomb-out – he should take his career earnings to over £1m. He’s currently on £967,609.
And is the second of the big Graffard Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud runners that is sure to carry plenty of support.
He’ll also be ridden by two-time winner of the race Christophe Soumillon.
JUNKO
The Wetheimer & Frere owners have two in here and if the betting is to be believed – this will be their second string.
This 6 year-old has still won just over £2m in total prize money, which is the most on show and has to be respected on that alone.
His big G1 wins came in the Hong Kong Vase and Grosser Allianz Preis von Bayern in 2023 – plus was third in this race to Westover that year too.
But he’s not getting any younger at 6 and you feel it would be a shock if he’s to find any improvement against the younger legs.
Trainer André Fabre has won the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud EIGHT time though.
AVENTURE
The second Wetheimer & Frere Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud runner is Aventure – who most will remember for coming second in last season’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
This 4 year-old has improved again since this term – winning both starts at Longchamp and here at Saint-Cloud last time out, when taking the Prix Corrida (watch below).
He’s raced 10 times – winning 505 of those – and has only been out of the top three once.
He’s certainly the one most people will say can upset the Graffard apple cart with Calandagan and Goliath.
Aventure will be ridden by Maxime Guyon, who won this race in 2012 (Meandre) and 2016 (Silverware).
But trainer Christophe Ferland is yet to win the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.
Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard Has NEVER Won The Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud
Despite having fired in multiple Group One wins over the world and main trainer to the HH The Aga Khan, Chantilly-based Francis-Henri Graffard is yet to get his hands on the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.
Twelve months ago he saw his Zarir only manage fifth when a well-fancied 31/10 shot.
While in 2022 he had the fourth Sweet Lady.
However, with 40% of the runners in 2025 – including two of the first three in the betting (Calandagan and Goliath) he’ll the odds-on to break his duck in 2025.
Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud 2025 🇫🇷
📅Date: Sunday 29th June 2025
⌚Time: 4:30pm (GMT)
🏃Trip: 1m 4f
🏇Racecourse: Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud
💷Winner: £188,893
📺 TV: Sky Racing
Sunday’s Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud will also be run on the same day as the Irish Derby at the Curragh.
Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud Winners (Last 10)
- 2024 – Dubai Honour 73/10
- 2023 – Westover 1/2 fav
- 2022 – Alpinista 79/10
- 2021 – Broome 39/10
- 2020 – Way To Paris 6/5 fav
- 2019 – Coronet 11/5
- 2018 – Waldgeist 4/5 fav
- 2017 – Zarak 5/1
- 2016 – Silverware 14/1
- 2015 – Treve 4/9 fav
WATCH: Dubai Honour Winning The Grand Prix de Saint Cloud 2024
