Grand Prix de l'UET: The five eliminations
Updated: Oct 1
Five elimination races, three countries and twelve tickets to the final. The Grand Prix de l’UET is open to four-year-old international horses, excluding geldings, with this year’s final taking place in Turin, Italy, on October 11. The eliminations will be held at Åby, Vincennes and San Siro.
Twelve horses will qualify for the final, with the 12 places allocated as follows:
2 qualifiers from each elimination = 10 horses
The remaining 2 places go to the next two horses with the fastest times, regardless of which elimination they came from.
For the final, the elimination winners will draw first and choose their starting positions, followed by the runners-up, third-place finishers and so on.
For all eliminations, we look at the favorites most likely to qualify from each race.
Elimination A - Vincennes
September 25
Maestro Vrie is one of the fastest finishers of his generation and has taken some big victories, including the Prix Ourasi and the Prix Gaston Brunet, showcasing this particular strength. He’ll benefit from a small field and has proven to particularly like the shorter distances, with a personal best of 1’10’’2 over 2175m.
Magic Night is a strong filly. She likes her races a little tougher and does best from the lead. While the distance and starting position are not in her favor, she has been coming back into form. With a 1’10’’2 personal best over 2100m, she’s one of the favorites in a small field against a less competitive field.
Elimination B - Vincennes
September 25
This looks like the strongest field of the five eliminations.
Mack de Blary broke stride at the start in the Critérium des 4 Ans, where he started as the favorite. He’s one of the leaders of the generation and both strong and fast. He has proven to be excellent over the distance, as seen in the Prix Phaeton, where he strode home with ease to finish in 1’10’’4 over 2150m. Starting barefoot, which hasn’t proven to be successful in his career. An unnecessary risk for the big favorite?
Fragolino Rosso is a known name internationally, with big wins in four countries already: the Netherlands, Sweden, France and fresh off winning the German Derby in a race and track record time of 1’10’’6 over 1900m. A winning machine that looks to be getting stronger every race. His character will help him in his first outing at Vincennes against some of the best of the generation. A test of whether what he’s shown so far will be enough at the temple of trot.
Golden Gio is Italian-owned but trained by Sébastien Guarato. He’s been successful in both countries and is known for his final kick. He hasn’t shown his best form in a while but will prefer the shorter distance and smaller field.
Monzon Normand deserves a mention as he’s reliable and consistent in getting smaller places. A smaller field suits him and he might be one of the horses to grab a non-automatic ticket.
Elimination C - Åby
September 26
Mellby Narrow might’ve been an outsider in the Swedish Derby, but that changed after his win in excellent style. He also set a new race record (1’11’’6 over 2640m).
Possesses both strength and finishing speed and is capable over all distances. In the shape of his life so far.
Peggy Boko was unlucky in the Swedish Filly Derby, breaking stride after the start. Björn Goop returns in the bike, having been successful with the strong Dutch-trained filly before. The positive draw should allow her to take position early on and most likely take the back of the huge favorite.
Gangster Vendil is a consistent performer, mostly taking placings throughout his entire career. Barely missed out on the final of the Swedish Derby and is capable over the distance. Could be a nice battle between him and Peggy Boko for a direct ticket.
Lazy Dust is the Danish Derby winner and deserves a mention. His personal bests do not put him in contention, but he can prove his capabilities in a smaller but strong field in Sweden.
Elimination D - Åby
September 26
Meditate, like Mellby Narrow, is in the shape of her life. Following her win in the Filly Derby in 1’11’’9 over 2140m, she’ll look to score three victories in a row. As a filly, she’s used to the shorter distances and has been fast before. Doesn’t mind racing hard.
Barkley had to race from the death seat in his Swedish Derby elimination, barely missing out on the final. This will be the first time in 2026 he has drawn a gate number below 8. His form and strength have never really been in doubt. Starting from the rail, he can position himself nicely and take full advantage from there.
Nightlife In has some of the best personal bests of the Swedish horses trying to qualify. Again suffers from a bad draw but has a phenomenal kick he can use in the last straight. Against some of the mares, he might be in a favorable position.
Elimination E - San Siro
September 27
Guglielmo Jet is the clear leader of his generation in Italy. Besides four disqualifications, he’s never been outside the top three in his entire career. Returns to racing after a victory in the Gran Premio Unione Europea on June 27th. A four-month break might be the only worry here, but his resume does not lie: he’s proven himself internationally against the very best in group 1 races.
Golden Boy has raced against the likes of Guglielmo Jet and Nightlife In, proving himself worthy of competing against them. His reliability puts him next to Guglielmo Jet as the main contender to qualify in a quite small and weaker field in Italy.
Grand Prix de l’U.E.T. Facts
Founded in 1985
Annual group 1 race
Usually run over 2100 or 2140m, depending on the venue
€400,000 in prize money for the final
€200,000 to the winner
The overall race record is 1’10’’6, set by Dream Mine in 2025 over 2140m
Previous winners include Epic Kronos, Calgary Games, Face Time Bourbon and Bold Eagle
The last non-French or Swedish winner was Robert Bi in 2014
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