Sel Jem returned to the top at Auteuil, powering through soft to heavy ground under Johnny Charron to take the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris
The main attraction at Auteuil saw Sel Jem take the 2026 edition of the Le Défi Des Haras Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris in convincing fashion. In a race run in heavy rain, the nine-year-old produced a clear finishing burst to win by around 13 lengths over the demanding trip of 3 miles 5 furlongs and 181 yards.
Ridden by Johnny Charron, who had also enjoyed success in the French Champion Hurdle on Losange Bleu, the victory completed a notable personal double for the rider across the Auteuil weekend. The race itself is widely regarded as France’s premier long-distance steeplechase, and Sel Jem’s performance underlined his aptitude for big tests in testing conditions.
Handled by the training partnership of Lageneste and Macaire, Sel Jem returned to the front of French steeplechasing with a performance that mixed stamina and a confident jumping rhythm. The going was official as soft to heavy, a condition that exposed stamina reserves and made the race a true examination of heart and jumping under pressure.
Despite the adverse weather and a competitive field, Sel Jem carried his rider to the front and pulled clear in the closing stages, leaving a strong impression of dominance that echoed around the Auteuil paddock and press areas.
How the race unfolded
The run to the line was controlled by Sel Jem for most of the closing circuit, with Charron settling the mount before asking for his effort. The combination of experienced jockeyship and careful preparation from the stable allowed the nine-year-old to conserve energy early and accelerate when it mattered most. Steeplechase contests over extreme trips demand precise timing and jump-to-jump concentration; Sel Jem’s final circuits displayed both. The margin of victory reflected not just superior stamina but also a well-executed game plan on soft ground, where errors are often costly.
Finishing order and key margins
In second place, the outsider Bon Garcon (sent off at roughly 33/1) ran on strongly to take the runner-up slot, while Gold Tweet finished a further length and a quarter back in third. Sel Jem had been priced at 14/1 pre-race and converted that into a notable success for connections. The comfortable winning distance and the high-profile nature of the contest prompted widespread reaction on social media, with coverage capturing Sel Jem’s emphatic return to the summit of French steeplechasing on May 17, 2026.
Context on the Auteuil card and wider race day
While the Grand Steeple-Chase took centre stage, the Auteuil card featured other important contests and storylines. Notably, the Willie Mullins-trained Selma De Vary won the Grade 1 Prix Alain du Breil for four-year-olds, with Paul Townend in the saddle. Selma De Vary’s path to the race included high-class form in Britain and Ireland after arriving from France: runner-up in the Grade One Juvenile at Leopardstown, a close fourth at Cheltenham, and a stay-on effort behind Mange Tout at Aintree. Those efforts framed her as a serious contender and she delivered when it mattered on the Paris card.
Pre-race stories and other entries
Previews ahead of the Grand Steeple had highlighted contenders such as Kolokico and Toscana Du Berlais, with Kolokico remembered for finishing second in the race the previous year but carrying some frustration from a disrupted campaign. Toscana Du Berlais, a consistent performer who often places rather than wins, was expected to run a big race. Other names mentioned in build-up pieces included Kaadem as a lively outsider and the likes of Gold Tweet and Kivala Du Berlais who could figure in the finish if conditions suited. The mix of returning stars and dark-horses added intrigue to an already compelling renewal.
Parallel action and takeaways
Across the Channel at Ripon, racing fans had their own focal points. The 3.50 Ripon feature saw entries like Alpine Girl, Lebron Power and Anaisa contest a valuable fillies’ handicap, with Alpine Girl looking to follow up a recent success at Pontefract. Meanwhile, trainers and jockeys reflected on the international significance of Auteuil performances, where staying power and jumping prowess are tested to the full. For Sel Jem’s connections, the win reaffirmed the colt’s class over extended trips and rewarded the patient planning that goes into targeting the Paris showpiece.
In summary, the Auteuil weekend produced both a headline-grabbing victory in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris and meaningful supporting results across the card. Sel Jem’s return to form under Johnny Charron was the central story, but attention will also linger on emerging talents and the strategic choices made by trainers ahead of major summer targets. The dueling narratives of comeback, preparation and adaptability in testing going ensured the day will be revisited by racing analysts for some time.
