The duel between the champions of the Papot family in the Prix de Compiègne (Gr.III), held on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at Auteuil, lived up to expectations. Blue Diamond, a double winner of Group I and the undisputed leader of his generation, ridden by Johnny Charron, consistently outperformed Thaix Game. “By mutual agreement with Dominique (Bressou), we decided not to challenge Thaix Game if he chose to take the lead,” the victorious jockey explained at the Equidia microphone. That is precisely what transpired, as James Reveley quickly made his intentions clear by allowing his mount, Thaix Game, to gallop freely in the front while keeping a distance from the heavy favorite in this group III race contested over 3,900 meters. “He’s a horse who enjoys comfort, which is why I allowed him to run his race, and he ultimately rewarded me for it. He is agile and responds well to guidance during the ride. What a horse!” concluded the two-time winner of the Grand Steeplechase of Paris, visibly moved, unable to hold back his tears. Ambushed, Blue Diamond cleared the last hurdle in second place, several lengths behind Thaix Game, before overtaking him and displaying great confidence in the final stages. The thoroughbred, trained by Dominique Bressou, notched his tenth victory, solidifying his leading position in the age-steeplechaser category. The trainer of the talented son of Martaline appeared calm upon the return of his champion, stating: “The plan was not to push him hard, even in defeat, because that is not the aim. Johnny did well not to accelerate the pace on the opposite side of the track, as it would have cost him in the end. This was primarily a race to get back into form. He wins, and we are happy.” The goal set by the trainer is none other than the Grand Prix d’Automne, a group I scheduled for November 16 on the Mortemart hill, which he has won four times with Marine Gallop.
“Thaix Game has potential”
The speed of Thaix Game on the 3,900-meter course could have allowed him to make a significant impact. This is what James Reveley attempted by riding him from the front, as he is accustomed to, but the class of his elegantly colored partner overshadowed his efforts. Nevertheless, James Reveley was not disheartened, commenting on his partner’s performance: “He performed very well. What he achieved was quite tidy. As in the spring, he was still a bit rusty for his return to competition. However, I remain confident that he will improve in his next outing. He fought until the end. I thought I had done most of the work coming out of the last turn. My horse accelerated well, but John’s champion (Charron) accelerated even more decisively. I believe we still have room for improvement.”
Patiently positioned slightly behind the first two, Heloy Delabarrière sprinted at full speed after crossing the final hurdle, ridden by Florent Bayle. The protégé of Arnaud Chaillé-Chaillé demonstrated his strong qualities and is a potential challenger for the Papot family’s protégés.
The Duel at Prix de Compiègne: Papot Family Champions Compete in 2024
On Saturday, September 28, 2024, the prestigious Prix de Compiègne (Gr. III) witnessed an exhilarating duel between the champions of the Papot family, showcasing the prowess and skill of two remarkable thoroughbreds: Blue Diamond and Thaix Game. This much-anticipated race, held at Auteuil, delivered on all expectations, thrilling fans and experts alike.
Race Overview
Blue Diamond, the double winner of Group I and an undisputed leader of his generation, was expertly ridden by Johnny Charron. Despite facing off against the talented Thaix Game, ridden by James Reveley, Blue Diamond emerged victorious, reinforcing his position as a top contender in his category.
Pre-Race Strategy
Prior to the race, there was a mutual agreement between Johnny Charron and trainer Dominique Bressou regarding their racing strategy. Charron remarked, “By mutual agreement with Dominique, we planned not to counter Thaix Game if he decided to take the advantage.” Following this plan, Reveley quickly established Thaix Game’s dominance, allowing him to set the pace early on.
Thaix Game Takes the Lead
Riding in the forefront, Thaix Game galloped freely, showcasing his speed and stamina. As Charron noted post-race, “He’s a horse who likes to be comfortable, which is why I let him do it… What a horse!” This tactical move allowed both horses to position themselves optimally for the challenging 3,900-meter course.
Key Race Highlights
- Blue Diamond positioned himself strategically behind Thaix Game, waiting for opportune moments to make his move.
- As the horses approached the final hurdles, Blue Diamond jumped from second position, closing the gap with impressive agility.
- Charron’s confidence in Blue Diamond allowed a surge of speed that clinched victory in the final hectometers.
Post-Race Insights
Post-race reactions highlighted the emotional significance of the win for Charron and Bressou. Charron expressed his appreciation for Blue Diamond’s capabilities, despite the pressure of the competition. “He finally gave it back to me,” Charron recalled, emotion evident in his voice.
Trainer’s Perspective
Dominique Bressou shared his insights on the race strategy, stressing the importance of not overexerting Blue Diamond. He stated, “The idea was not to give him a hard race, even in defeat.” This careful management allowed Blue Diamond to secure his tenth career victory, solidifying his status as a leading age steeplechaser.
Thaix Game’s Potential
Despite the loss, James Reveley remained optimistic about Thaix Game’s performance. He noted the horse’s solid behavior during the race: “He behaved very well. It’s very neat what he does. I remain confident that he will improve during his next outing.” Revelatory insights included his acknowledgment of the horse being slightly rusty for his return to competition.
The Future for Thaix Game
Looking ahead, there are high hopes for Thaix Game as Reveley believes there is still room for improvement. “I thought I had done most of it coming out of the last turn. I think we still have room for improvement,” he concluded, hinting at a promising future for this talented horse.
Emerging Contenders
The race also showcased the emerging talent of Heloy Delabarrière, ridden by Florent Bayle. Positioned slightly behind the leaders, Heloy demonstrated impressive speed as he finished strong, showcasing his potential to challenge the Papot family champions in future races.
Final Thoughts on the Prix de Compiègne
The Prix de Compiègne served as not only a thrilling spectacle but also a strategic chess match among some of the finest steeplechasers. The performance of Blue Diamond and Thaix Game underlines the exciting dynamics of competitive racing, where tactics, horse quality, and rider expertise converge.
Notable Statistics
| Horse | Jockey | Position | Total Wins | Next Race |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Diamond | Johnny Charron | 1st | 10 | Grand Prix d’Automne |
| Thaix Game | James Reveley | 2nd | Pending | Next race TBD |
| Heloy Delabarrière | Florent Bayle | 3rd | Pending | Next race TBD |
In Conclusion
The exceptional performance exhibited during the Prix de Compiègne indicates a bright future for steeplechasing in France. Both the champions of the Papot family and their competitors have effectively set the stage for an exciting racing season ahead. Fans and experts eagerly await the next encounter, where the tactics and talent of these magnificent horses will once again be on full display.
