Losange Bleu is clearly the best hurdler in France
Press Release Saturday, 15 November 2025
Les 48H DE L’OBSTACLE – Auteuil
PRIX SERGE LANDON - GRAND PRIX D'AUTOMNE
Losange Bleu is clearly the best hurdler in France
In the Prix Serge Landon – Grand Prix d’Automne, the Group 1 run on Saturday at Auteuil, the hot favourite Losange Bleu (Martaline), already the winner of the race last year, was never in danger, making all over the 4,800 metres of this Parisian hurdle marathon.
The champion owned by the Papot family — who hold the record number of wins in this race (6*) — set a strong pace during the first circuit, then steadied slightly as they passed the stands. He kicked on again on the far side for his second and final passage, grinding his rivals into submission.
At the entrance to the straight, only three opponents were still fighting for a place (but not for the win, which had long been secured for Losange Bleu): Jet Blue (Martaline), second from start to finish without ever trying to hassle the leader; Heloy Delabarriere (Chœur du Nord), always in third… but ultimately deprived of that honourable placing by the fast-finishing Isis d’Inor (The Grey Gatsby). It is worth noting that the first two home share the same sire: the late Normandy stallion Martaline, a great sire who died in 2020.
Among the trainers, Dominique Bressou (based in Dragey in the Manche region) is closing in on record-holder William Head (8 wins): Filidor (1931, dead-heat), Evohé II (1934, 1936, 1937), Daring (1944), Vatelys (1946), Blue Butterfly (1947) and Maisons-Laffitte (1951). Losange Bleu has now given Bressou a sixth success in the race, following the victories of Galop Marin (Black Sam Bellamy).
* With Galop Marin (4 from 2018 to 2021) and Losange Bleu (2024 and 2025).
Official result
PRIX SERGE LANDON – GRAND PRIX D’AUTOMNE
1st LOSANGE BLEU (Johnny CHARRON)
2nd JET BLUE (Gabin MEUNIER)
3rd ISIS D’INOR (Ludovic PHILIPPERON)
Time: 5’59’’42. Margins: 6 – 2 1/2 – 6 – 20.
Reactions
Dominique Bressou, trainer of Losange Bleu (1st)
“It's a relief. Just because you won last year and you're the favourite this year doesn’t mean you’re going to win! You still have to run the race. Today, I was under enormous pressure. I think I’ve rarely been this stressed before a race. In the stands, you just hope nothing happens to a horse of this quality. During the race, I only got a fright at the Pavillon hurdle, and then again when Johnny [Charron, his jockey] tried to put a squeeze on him at the second hurdle in the back straight: the horse said no, which worried me a bit – but the rest was perfect. (…) He is exceptional. The best proof is that everyone who wanted to take him on wasn’t there today. (…) He’s a gentleman. A Mike Tyson [heavyweight boxing champion]. (…) For me it was also an emotional day because we paid tribute to Jehan Bertran de Balanda, who is retiring. I won many races for him as a jockey.”
Gabin Meunier, jockey of Jet Blue (2nd)
“Our horse was very impressive today. He really showed his true ability. But honestly, there was nothing we could do against Losange Bleu.”
Marcel Rolland, trainer of Isis d’Inor (3rd)
“We are pleased with her run. Maybe if she had been a bit closer during the race, she could have taken second – because she finished very strongly. She needed another lap! At the finish, the jockey was blowing harder than the filly!” (laughs)
