Losange Bleu made all to claim the French Champion Hurdle, with Home By The Lee unable to match the pace and withdrawn mid-race
On 16 May 2026 at Auteuil the heavy ground set the scene for the Racing TV Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil, a notable long-distance Grade 1 hurdle contest over 3 miles 1 furlong 77 yards. The field of eleven included the market leader Losange Bleu and the Irish contender Home By The Lee, trained by Joseph O’Brien and ridden by J.
J. Slevin. Pundits had high expectations after Home By The Lee’s recent Grade 1 successes at Cheltenham and Aintree, but conditions and race dynamics would prove decisive in separating the protagonists.
The race unfolded under heavy going and a testing pace.
Losange Bleu, seven and by Martaline, was ridden positively by Johnny Charron and established command early. As the contest progressed the French raider lengthened his advantage, finishing clear of the remainder after the second-last obstacle. Meanwhile the eleven-year-old Home By The Lee was unable to cope with the tempo and deteriorating margins; connections made the call to pull him up as he dropped away from the main group.
Race overview
The race developed into a display of sustained front-running by the favourite, with Losange Bleu dictating terms throughout. Trained by Dominic Bressou, the winner jumped well and kicked clear after two out before being pushed along ahead of the final flight, ultimately crossing the line unchallenged. Theleme stayed on for second under Gaetan Masure, while Jet Blue and Illusion Machine filled the minor placings. A number of runners failed to handle the conditions and were either tailed off or removed from contention, demonstrating how strongly the going influenced outcomes in this classic French hurdle test.
Tactics and pace
Johnny Charron‘s positive riding and the robust tempo set by Losange Bleu became the defining tactical story. The early fractions were brisk and, under the heavy surface, endurance and jumping efficiency mattered more than usual. Those who attempted to match the leader were unable to sustain the effort, and horses that preferred a slower run faded as the race entered its latter stages. The decision to set such a gallop exposed the limitations of several contenders, while benefiting the clear-travelling winner who relished the demanding test.
How the pace affected rivals
The fast approach left some contenders struggling mid-race and forced connections into difficult choices. Home By The Lee dropped through the field early on, was detached after the 5th obstacle and was pulled up after the 10th when it became clear he was not travelling with the principals. Other horses such as Henri The Second and It’s Win O’Clock were also withdrawn from the contest as their races petered out. The contrast between the front-runner’s stamina and the others’ inability to cope underlines how pivotal tempo and ground were in determining the finishing order.
Placings, prize money and perspective
When the tape fell the result confirmed a comfortable success for Losange Bleu, with Theleme second and Jet Blue third; Illusion Machine completed the top four. The winner collected the first prize of £142,043.48, with second receiving £69,443.48, third £41,034.78 and fourth £28,408.70. Those figures reflect the race’s high status and the significance of a Grade 1 triumph at Auteuil. The outcome also resets expectations for the participants for the remainder of the season and offers a strong endorsement of the winner’s class on deep ground.
Connections’ reactions
After the race jockey J. J. Slevin explained the decision regarding Home By The Lee: “It just didn’t happen for him today. They went a really good gallop and obviously horses went past him and he hasn’t enjoyed it — that’s him. The preparation had been good. That’s just him — everyone knows what he’s like, and the winner’s very very good.” Trainers, jockeys and owners will now assess recovery plans and future targets, while Dominic Bressou and his team will take confidence from a polished execution by their front-running star.
