Maisons-Laffitte: Hermès keeps Thélème at bay

September 25, 2021, Auteuil Racecourse (Paris). - Out since his win in the Cambacérès 3yo Hurdle (Gr1) in November 2020, Thélème (Sidestep) was receiving 2lbs from his successor at the helm of their generation, the AQPS-bred Hermès Baie (Crillon), for their common return on the course in the Maisons-Laffitte 4yo Hurdle (Gr3). The Alain du Breil  4yo Hurdle (Gr1) winner in May, Hermès was undefeated this term in 3 races at the top. For this first duel of the season between those two rivals for the same crown, Hermès Baie has held on and prevailed by 2 1/2 lengths despite the weight he was giving. Ridden by the inside rail, he always seemed to be well in control. Thélème was never far back and he threw the gauntlet jumping at the last, although that challenge was short-lived, as he settled for the second place for this long-awaited return, after almost a year out. They both will live for another fight as they both aim the Renaud du Vivier 4yo Hurdle (Gr1), on November 14.

The leader of most of the race, a promising Jeu de Paume (Wootton Bassett) finished well in 3rd, 2 1/2 lengths further down.

According to the Tracking report of the sectionals, the winner covered the last 5 furlongs under 1’9’’, which is quite astonishing, while Thélème took 1’9’’1 to run that last kilometre … It took the winner 475 strides to cover 3,000 metres to the post, that si about 20 less than the winners of the 3-year-olds' races on that same trip and distance, while the youngsters took 1 to 2 seconds more than their elders to run the 2m2f race.

Ludmika (Murmure), Hermès Baie's dam, was trained in the West by Yannick Fertillet. She won two of her 3 races over the flat and then gave no less than 8 foals by the only Crillon, including Hermès Baie. His last full sister I Love My Baie was sold for £80,000 at Goffs in May. Ludmika has since changed habits: she went twice to Tiger Groom and this season had a Puit d’Or colt.