Delestre Wins Through

In a down-to-the-wire grand prix, Simon Delestre dominates ahead of his compatriots

Longines Masters of Paris, France

A PASSIONATE crowd roared their approval as they witnessed a French whitewash for Sunday’s Longines grand prix in Paris. Just 0.71sec separated three of the country’s leading horsemen on the podium, with the silverware and the €99,000 (£83,220) top prize going to Simon Delestre with the 14-year-old Hermès Ryan.

The pair are always formidable against the clock and, with the advantage of last draw in a six-strong jump-off— where two-thirds were flying the French flag — they blitzed round to finish ahead of Simon’s compatriots Kevin Staut (For Joy Van’t Zorgvliet HDC) and Roger Yves Bost riding Sangria Du Coty. Interestingly, all three were in the saddle on teenage horses.

“Hermès Ryan is naturally very fast on the ground,” Simon confirmed. “I stuck to my plan as far as related distances were concerned, but turned very fast. This was a big grand prix. Going last was a rather comfortable position to be in.”

French course-designer Gregory Bodo’s challenging tracks received plenty of praise during the show, but he offered riders two turns on which to gain some extra