Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Sunday’s racing coming your way from Deauville on 23 August 2026.
DEAUVILLE BEST BETS SUNDAY
Race 1 SUMBE PRIX DU CALVADOS (Group 2)
No4 DEE’S FUNNY GIRL
Trainer: Donnacha O’Brien – Jockey: Ryan Moore
Five French-trained fillies take on Ireland’s DEE’S FUNNY GIRL, who should see them off as a worthy favourite for a race that’s not the strongest of Group 2s. The selection found only Moonrise her superior on a first run for Donnacha O’Brien and should build on it, assisted by a first time tongue tie.
Race 2 SUMBE PRIX KERGORLAY (Group 2)
No5 SANTORINI STAR
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Tom Marquand
DOUBLE MAJOR is among the best stayers in France but as that’s not an especially strong division I’m going with SANTORINI STAR to take out this famous contest. While the first named horse looks to add to his 2024 and 2025 triumphs in the race, the Haggas filly showed with a narrow defeat in the Lillie Langtry at Goodwood that she’s ready to win again.
Race 4 SUMBE PRIX MORNY (Group 1)
No7 SENORITA BONITA (Nap)
Trainer: Simon Crisford – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
In a race to savour, Starspangledbanner filly SENORITA BONITA can repel the challenge of Coolmore duo MAN’S BEST FRIEND and GREAT BARRIER REEF as well as the impressive Norfolk Stakes winner ORTHODOX. The Nap has speed to burn and looked unlucky when carried right in the final 100 yards of the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot but for which she would be unbeaten. She made amends when staying on strongly up the rising ground to take out the Duchess Of Cambridge (Group 2) at Newmarket and has worked very well subsequently. Furthermore the July meeting form was handed a huge boost when second home Libertango went one better in the Lowther Stakes at York on Thursday.
Prediction: 1st SENORITA BONITA, 2nd Orthodox, 3rd Great Barrier Reef, 4th Man’s Best Friend
Race 5 SUMBE PRIX JEAN ET LOUIS ROMANET (Group 1)
No11 DIAMOND NECKLACE
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien – Jockey: Ryan Moore
With her unbeaten record of six successes, culminating in resounding triumphs in the Prix de Diane at Chantilly and Goidwood’s Nassau Stakes, DIAMOND NECKLACE is an equine version of the Queen of Europe. She puts that record on the line in an all aged Group 1 that she should dominate before connections decide whether to point her at the Irish Champion Stakes, though her odds will be prohibitive
