Off to the Races: Prix de diane

Race day for the Prix de Diane started pretty similarly as the Jockey Club, except this time it was lunch in "Le Jardin" (courtesy of our friends at Coolmore). The atmosphere was incredible, with vibrant colors amongst a garden party theme. And you couldn't miss the abundance of hats, with outfits reminiscent of Royal Ascot.

We took to the stands to watch a Group III race, Prix du Bois Longines - Fonds Européen de l'Elevage. A win by Ramatuelle, an impressive 2-year-old filly partially owned by NBA Hall of Famer Tony Parker, meant the breeder's prize for Yeguada Centurion. (Note: Every race has a prize for the owner, breeder, trainer, jockey, and groom.)

After a quick break for some Chantilly treats (i.e. a bowl of créme Chantilly with some fruit), it was time for the big Group I race of the day - the Prix de Diane, also known as the French Oaks. We had two horses running in this elite race for 3-year-old fillies: Wise Girl and Blue Rose Cen.

Wise Girl is the daughter of Recoletos, a two-time Group 1 winner, and Darma, an Aga Khan mare. We didn’t play favorites with our own horses, of course… but Blue Rose Cen had the betting odds. She was coming off four straight victories, including two Group 1 wins at the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac - Criterium des Pouliches and the Emirates Poule D'essai des Pouliches. Blue Rose Cen’s dam is Queen Blossom and her sire is Churchill, a Coolmore stallion sired by another well-known stallion (Galileo). She lives up to her bloodline, quoted by Sky Sports as “the best of her generation in France.”

Wise Girl picked up the early lead and l thought she had a chance of winning the race at one point. But then we hit the final straight, where Blue Rose Cen just took off like a rocket. I have never screamed "Allez" and "Vamos" so loudly in my life. Blue Rose Cen emerged victorious by four lengths, racing past the finish line ahead of Dubawi filly Never Ending Story as Wise Girl finished fourth.

The media frenzy then began, with everyone from Sky Sports to France Galop wanted to get a word in with Leopoldo and Christopher.

We were then escorted onto the racecourse for the trophy ceremony, and the atmosphere was incredible. (For my American readers, imagine that you just won the Kentucky Derby). I also got to see my first horse racing press conference, where questions were asked and translated from French to English and vice versa.

The smiles could not be wiped off our faces as the whole team got their chance to hold the trophy, taking in our victory – and of course ending with a champagne toast!

It was hard for me to leave the celebrations as I had to catch a flight back to Monaco that evening, but I can tell you that I’ve never smiled so much on a flight in France – still wearing my blue hat for Blue Rose Cen.

The journey has just begun, and we’re officially off to the races.