The Group One Prix Jacques le Marois is the showcase race in Europe on Sunday and despite the contest being run in France, it’s the UK and Irish raiders that have held sway in recent years.
A French-Trained Horse Last Won Prix Jacques le Marois In 2017 🇫🇷
It’s amazing really to see that this top Group One race in France last went to a homebred horse back in 2017 – when the Andre Fabre-trained Al Wukair landed the pot (watch below).
Since then, we’ve seen two Irish-trained winners and the last five have all come from Britain.
Roger Varian won the prize in 2024 with his classy Charyn, while the John Gosden camp mopped up four wins on the spin between 2020 and 2023. Two with Palace Pier and two with Inspiral.
And with the French challenge thin on the ground again in 2025 – the horse racing betting sites are suggesting the Prix Jacques le Marois will be won by a UK or Irish horse again.
With the shortest-priced runner from France looking likely to be the Francis-Henri Graffard entry Zabiari (16/1).
We’ve also a leading runner from Japan – Ascoli Piceno – coming over and having won the Group One Victoria Mile in Tokyo last time, is certainly not without a chance.
But all eyes point to the UK and Irish challenge.
Lion Set To Roar In 2025 Prix Jacques le Marois 🦁
In contrast the the French runners, the British challenge is strong.
Yes, we now know the news that pre-race favourite Rosallion is now out of the race with a bruised foot – but there’s still a big presence from Europe.
With Roger Teal’s Dancing Gemini and Godolphin’s former 2024 2,000 Guineas winner Notable Speech coming over.
While Dockands, who won the Queen Anne Stakes, has been supplemented by the Eustace team.
However, with Richard Hannon’s Rosallion out this has pushed THE LION IN WINTER to the head of the market.
Okay, he’s not lived up to his billing from last season – having been touted as the next big Aidan O’Brien ‘big thing’, by running only 14th in the Epsom Derby.
But he bounced back last time though to be a close third in the Group One Prix Jean Prat here at Deauville over 7f and a repeat of that run would make him a big player.
The extra furlong (1m) here will suit too and Ryan Moore is expected to come over for the ride.
Aidan O’Brien Has Only Won The Prix Jacques le Marois Once Before
The Lion In Winter be looking to give O’Brien just his second win in the race – with Excelebration in 2012 his only success.
O’Brien also runs Diego Velazquez, who has recently been bought by the Sangsters – hence the new colours.
He was a good winner of the G2 Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh last time and is certainly not without a squeak.
WATCH: The Lion In Winter Running Third In The Prix Jean Prat
Prix Jacques le Marois Betting Odds 🎫
- The Lion In Winter 2/1
- Ascoli Piceno 11/4
- Notable Speech 13/2
- Docklands 9/1
- Dancing Gemini 10/1
- Zabiari 10/1
- Diego Valazquez 12/1
- Ridari 12/1
- King Gold 40/1
- Go To First 66/1
Note: Odds are subject to change
Prix Jacques le Marois Winners (Last 10 Years) 🏆
- 2024 – Charyn 9/10 fav
- 2023 – Inspiral 78/10
- 2022 – Inspiral 9/5
- 2021 – Palace Pier 7/10 fav
- 2020 – Palace Pier 13/10 fav
- 2019 – Romanised 7/2
- 2018 – Alpha Centauri 9/10 fav
- 2017 – Al Wukair 4/1
- 2016 – Ribchester 11/4
- 2015 – Esoterique 11/2
