Prix Ferdinand Dufaure Untouchable Metronomique Takes the Lead Among 4-Year-Old Steeplechasers

Race Summary

The Ferdinand Dufaure Prize (Group 1, the highest level in horse racing) is the true championship event for 4-year-old steeplechasers. With horses such as Metronomique, Shannon Maestro, Duke Of Senam and Mélisse du Mathan lining up at the start, all among the best of their generation, the race promised a great sporting spectacle. The promise was fulfilled after an intense and spectacular contest that delighted racing fans.

Unsurprisingly, victory went to the race favorite Metronomique, who was coming off an impressive win in the Prix Hopper (Group 3) over the steeplechase course at Compiègne. On Sunday, Metronomique quickly took the lead and set a strong pace throughout the race, never coming under threat. He won very easily by more than 14 lengths ahead of Victrix du Mesnil. Duc de Roche completed the podium a further ten lengths behind.

Metronomique is trained in Chantilly by Englishman Noel George and Swede Amanda Zetterholm. They have been training together since 2023. The duo share responsibilities: Noel oversees the horses’ morning work while Amanda handles administration, communication and owner relations. Their partnership has been highly successful. In their very first year together, they broke into the top 10 jump trainers in France. This was their first victory in the race. Metronomique was partnered by English jockey James Reveley, who is based in France and also secured his first win in the race.

Metronomique was bred at Haras de Buff in the Orne region. He was purchased for €45,000 by his trainers at the 2023 Arqana Autumn Sale. Metronomique races in the colors of a partnership of English owners: Sharon Colleen Nelson, Vicki Robinson, Dermot O'Donohoe and John Cavanagh.

Official Result

1st – METRONOMIQUE (J. Reveley)

2nd – VICTRIX DU MESNIL (B. Le Clerc)

3rd – DUC DE ROCHE (L. Zuliani)

Quotes from the Winners

James Reveley (jockey of Metronomique, 1st): 

“I was never worried during the race. Honestly, I was in second gear the whole way — he’s a real machine. He would be perfect for English two-mile races (3,200 meters). Today, we’re asking him to go much further than that. But he handles it because he’s intelligent and responsive. And he jumped perfectly.”

Noel George (co-trainer of Metronomique, 1st) – based in Chantilly (60): 

“This weekend had been a little frustrating, but we knew Metronomique had enormous class. I slept badly for a long time after his fall in the Prix Fleuret because I had asked James to keep him covered up during the race… and he fell. That was really my fault. Today, I told him to go to the front and show everyone just how good he was. And that’s exactly what he did. He was perfect. Above all, he was manageable, but he’s simply a very high-powered horse.

It’s also an important victory for everyone involved, especially for these English owners, who have been loyal to my father for a long time. I think the last time these silks won a Group 1, I was two years old, and it was already for my father at Cheltenham. Keeping owners this loyal is something truly special.

As for what comes next, we’re first going to enjoy today. He’s so comfortable over French steeplechase fences… The real question mark was Auteuil and the distance. But he finished very strongly, with plenty of action, on heavy ground. We’ll savor this victory before thinking about the future.”

Mickaël Seror (trainer of Victrix du Mesnil, 2nd, and Good Girl de Faust, who fell) – based in Chantilly (60): 

Victrix du Mesnil ran a very good race. We were beaten by a horse who really did everything right, so there’s no real regret to have. During the race, I would have liked Mélisse du Mathan to move closer a bit earlier to help bring us into contention, especially since she still had plenty left just ahead of us. But we couldn’t go around at that moment, and it’s never easy to make up ground on a horse who keeps galloping all the way to the line. So we can’t be disappointed with finishing second.

The filly will improve further: it was only her second steeplechase start and her first over 4,400 meters, which was no easy task. She suffered a slight knock on the front cannon bone, probably at the bank obstacle, so our main concern now is making sure she recovers well so we can have a top-class filly again for the end of the season.

As for Good Girl de Faust, the mare fell at the first hurdle, so we didn’t get to see her race. Fortunately, neither she nor the jockey was injured, which is already a good thing. But naturally, it’s frustrating to fall at the very first hurdle in a Group 1 race.”

François Nicolle (trainer of Duc de Roche, 3rd) – based in Saint Augustin (17): 

“Duc de Roche jumped much better today and his performance was very satisfying. He is still a little heavy in the way he finishes his races, although that will probably improve with time. The winner is a very good horse — we know him well — but I still think Duc de Roche produced an excellent performance.

The ground probably worked in our favor because we managed to turn the tables on some horses who had finished ahead of us previously. Duc de Roche really gives the impression of being a colt who will improve significantly with age.”