La Lagune (1965 – after 1970) was a French-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. She initially made an impression by winning the Prix de Condé in the autumn of 1965 and added to her reputation with an emphatic victory in the Prix Vanteaux in the following spring. She was then sent to England for the Epsom Oaks and justified her position as favourite, as she ran out a very easy five length winner. She was unable to win again but ran well in defeat against very strong opposition before being retired at the end of the season. She had little chance to prove herself as a broodmare as she produced only one foal. Background Lagunette was an "immensely strong" looking bay mare with a broad white blaze and four white socks bred near Bordeaux in France by the Marquis du Vivier. As a yearling she was consigned to the sales at Deauville and was bought for 25,000 francs (about £2,000) by François Boutin. During her racing career she was trained by Boutin at Chantilly and carried the red and white colours of Henry Berlin. She was one of the best horses sired by Val de Loir who won the Prix du Jockey Club in 1962 and whose other progeny included Val de l'Orne and Comtesse de Loir. Her dam Landerinette was unraced but went on to produce the Irish Oaks winner Lagunette. Racing career 1967: two-year-old season As a two-year-old La Lagune produced her most notable performance in October when she won the Prix de Condé over 2000 metres on heavy ground at Longchamp Racecourse. Although the field included male opponents, her closest pursuer was the filly Mercuriale. 1968: three-year-old season In April at Longchamp La Lagune was one of eight fillies to contest the Prix Vanteux over 1900 metres. Ridded by Gerard Thiboeuf she won by five lengths in a performance which resulted in her being regarded as a leading contender for the Epsom Oaks. By May it appeared that her biggest obstacle in her path was the outbreak of strikes and civil unrest in France which at one point made it look as though she would be unable to travel to England. La Lagune arrived safely at Epsom and on 31 May she started the 11/8 favourite against thirteen opponents in the 190th running of the Oaks. With Thiboeuf again in the saddle she never looked to be in