Leffard restores the trainer Jean-Claude Rouget to the top of the world in front of more than 10 000 people

The French colt Leffard, with his jockey Cristian Demuro has won the Cygames Grand Prix de Paris, part of the Arc Races series, which grants the winner a direct qualification for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Leffard triumphed with a brilliant late surge down the center of the track, narrowly overtaking Irish contender Trinity College by a short head.

Leffard is trained in Pau by Jean-Claude Rouget, who was visibly moved to tears as he awaited his protégé’s victorious return to the winner’s circle. Rouget had been battling cancer for many months before making his comeback to the racecourses. Leffard’s victory vindicates his conviction: he has long believed that this colt shares many qualities with his sire, Le Havre, one of the champions he previously trained. Like Leffard, Le Havre carried the colors of Gérard Augustin-Normand, one of Rouget’s long-standing owners. Antonio Caro, another of the trainer’s historic partners, co-owns Leffard alongside Augustin-Normand.

This marks the third time Jean-Claude Rouget has won the Grand Prix de Paris, following victories with Behkabad in 2010 and Millkom in 1994. For Leffard’s Italian jockey, Cristian Demuro, this was also his third triumph in the race, after winning with Mont Ormel in 2016—then also in the colors of Gérard Augustin-Normand, with whom he had a contractual partnership—and again with Feed the Flame in 2023.

Leffard was born and raised in the Orne region at Haras du Cadran, managed by Pierre Talvard in partnership with Ecurie Mélanie.

Official Result

1st LEFFARD (C. Demuro)

2nd TRINITY COLLEGE (R. Moore)

3rd NEW GROUND (C. Keane)

Time: 2’26’’45. Margins: Short head – 5.5 lengths – 2 lengths.

QUOTES 

Jean-Claude Rouget, trainer of Leffard, Pau (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)

"The farther the race progressed, the better it looked. I didn’t think he’d launch another surge to win. It’s incredible to win this race after such a difficult year. It’s wonderful, a rightful reward. I’ve always believed Leffard was a very good horse. Even though he had valid excuses, the Jockey Club race had left us unsatisfied. I didn’t want him to have another run like that. When I saw the field was thinning out, with some beatable horses, we decided to enter him. Gérard Augustin-Normand asked me to supplement him. His workout on Thursday morning was outstanding. For Gérard, this win has a special flavor, since Leffard is a son of Le Havre, his favorite. That’s the horse that started everything. Having a successor—it’s fantastic! This is a great moment for my team in Pau… It’s hard to sum it all up in a few words. Their support is what kept me going… Without them, I would have quit. My assistant, Jean-René Dubosc, did a remarkable job. He took two weeks off and will be returning from vacation a happy man! Of course, Leffard has all the qualities needed to run in the Arc. He’s likely to go for the Qatar Prix Niel, then the Arc."

Cristian Demuro, jockey of Leffard (1st)

"It’s incredible for Jean-Claude Rouget! He made the trip here and I’m so happy for him... It’s amazing that he’s back and winning a Group race. He’s a father figure to me. Leffard is a superb horse, and I had a great trip: he’s really top-class!"

Aidan O’Brien, trainer of Trinity College (2nd) – Ireland

"He ran a very good race. I don’t think there’s much more to say. The distance wasn’t an issue, but he didn’t win..."

Henri-François Devin, trainer of New Ground (3rd), Chantilly (Oise)

"He was very sharp throughout the race. He’s a somewhat tricky horse. The pace was too slow for him—below what he needs. Even so, he finished very well, which is impressive for a horse that pulled so much. For now, we’ll shorten him up. Once he settles down more, we might revisit longer distances."

The Cygames Grand Prix de Paris enters Arc Races legend!

A flagship event on the racing calendar, the Cygames Grand Prix de Paris joined the Arc Races in 2025, a new circuit of eight prestigious contests whose winners receive a Wild Card entry into the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

This Sunday, July 13 at ParisLongchamp, the winner of the Cygames Grand Prix de Paris earned his spot in the "World Cup of Thoroughbreds," set to be held on Sunday, October 5 at ParisLongchamp.

With the Arc Races, France Galop offers a clear, engaging, and spectacular season-long storyline for fans to follow the sport’s top champions on their path to the Arc. This concept is designed to captivate both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers alike, delivering thrills throughout a season packed with emotion.