This year, Ireland's leading trainer, Aidan O'Brien, and the powerful Coolmore team for whom he trains have chosen not to pitch any of their runners into the field for the Prix du Jockey Club, better known outside France as the French Derby, to be run over 2100 m. at Chantilly on Sunday, June 1^st, at 4:15 p.m. local time. So even while Adelaide (by Galileo) chews on his bale of hay in his stable at Ballydoyle, 16 others from the same crop will be crossing swords in the suburbs of Paris.  

There were no surprises at the declaration stage – no additional runners were supplemented to the 200 originally entered, nor were there any defectors. The winner will pick up the healthy sum of €857,100 and the glittering trophy for the prestigious event, first run in 1836. Till 2005, the race was contested at 2400 m., but nowadays they have to traverse 300 m. less.

Jean-Claude Rouget's Prince Gibraltar (by Rock Of Gibraltar), brilliant winner of that informative classic trial, the Prix Greffulhe, on his return to action this term is sure to be the favourite. He however will find a new pilot at the controls, as his usual rider Christophe Soumillon has been declared to ride the Aga Khan's Shamkiyr (by Sea The Stars) instead. Gerald Mosse steps in and is very pleased to have the opportunity to perhaps add this prize to his burgeoning international roster of successes.

The rider commented: "This is a wonderful opportunity for me as the horse is very good. I have not ridden him on the track, but from what I saw of him at Saint-Cloud he is a serious contender. The ground at the moment is soft, which would suit him, but I think he would also show a high level of form if it was good ground. I am very lucky to be able to come in and ride a horse as good as this. I hope I can carry on the miracle on Sunday."

Rouget is double-handed, as he also fields the unbeaten Gonna Run (by Hurricane Cat), who is making a big jump in class. Pierre-Charles Boudot has been entrusted with the task of attempting this leap.

Stamina considerations were amongst those that Jonathan Pease took into account when deciding plans for his ward, Karakontie (by Bernstein). A classic winner already, having taken the Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) last time out, the Niarchos standard-bearer has been directed here, instead of to the Investec Epsom Derby later in the week. He will have the services of Stephane Pasquier, his usual partner, and will probably be the second-best backed on the pari-mutuel.

From England comes the surprise Betfred Dante Stakes winner, The Grey Gatsby (by Mastercraftsman), an inmate of Kevin Ryan's Hambleton Lodge stables in Yorkshire. One of two British runners in the field – the other is  Ayrad (by Dalakhani) – The Grey Gatsby has been reasonably consistent, with only a couple of blots on his record. At all his remaining starts he has run first or second. The trainer has turned once more to the rider who transformed the grey grandson of Danehill Dancer (who was retired from stud duties earlier this week), namely Ryan Moore. Could another "Ryan" double be on the cards? 

Prestige Vendome (by Orpen) was gaining ground when just failing to catch Karakontie in the French 2000 Guineas; had he successfully done so, he would have emulated the feat of his half-brother Style Vendome (by Anabaa), who scored for the same connections in 2013. Prestige Vendome's style of running suggests he would stay the 2100 m. trip here. Schooler Nicolas Clement remains uncertain about the prospect of this happening. Thierry Thulliez will don the yellow silks of the Comte de Ganay.

One must greatly respect any runner from the yard of Alain de Royer-Dupre – after all he has won the Prix du Jockey Club six times, mainly for his chief patron, the Aga Khan. As mentioned above, Shamkiyr is their representative. Although it is a mighty step up from a Saint-Cloud maiden to a Group 1, the fact is that the colt broke his duck by an easy eight lengths, is by a promising sire, has worked very well, and is still improving. With only three starts under his belt, he has to be on anyone's short list.

One more runner making his fourth public appearance in a starting gate, like Shamkiyr, is Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum's Nolohay (by Dubawi). Retained rider Paul Hanagan has flown in from England to take the mount on the well-bred colt, who hails from the Carlos Laffon-Parias academy.

Another classic trial in the spring in France each year is the Prix Hocquart. This year's winner was the Freddie Head-trained Free Port Lux (by Oasis Dream), who clearly stays well, despite being by a sprinter, and he will be guided by Thierry Jarnet.

Finally, and by no means the least, come the pair of runners tuned to perfection by lawyer-turned-trainer Andre Fabre. The maestro has already displayed his touch this spring by getting Miss France to bounce back from a defeat to take the QIPCO 1000 Guineas at Newmarket. Who is to say he cannot do the same with Earnshaw (by Medaglia d'Oro), who was runner-up in the Prix Greffulhe to Prince Gibraltar, or with Galiway (by Galileo), who has only 3 lengths to make up on Karakontie? Both have talented riders in the saddle, with Maxime Guyon on the former and last year's hero, Olivier Peslier, on the latter.

It's an intriguing puzzle but it seems likely the prize will remain in France for the ninth consecutive year.