French Derby Weekend Blog

Usually, a Friday morning commute isn’t the greatest feeling in the world, but in this case, it was certainly a better trip on the London Underground heading into St. Pancras International. Our French Derby Weekend was officially underway!

The Eurostar is always a nice way to travel - and when you realise you’re leaving a wet weekend in the UK behind for a sun-glazed getaway in Chantilly, it makes it that little bit sweeter. Spirits were high among the group, with plenty of chat about Sunday’s big race and plenty of time to enjoy the Eurostar’s surprisingly excellent ham & cheese baguette (which, after much deliberation, was very, very nice).

Before we really even knew it, we’d emerged from beneath the English Channel and arrived into Gare du Nord in the early afternoon. A short and seamless train connection whisked us through the countryside, and suddenly we were stepping into sunshine in Chantilly.

After checking in at the Hotel du Parc, there was time to relax, freshen up, and take in our new surroundings. Before the evening was fully our own, we kicked things off with welcome drinks at the hotel, giving everyone a chance to meet each other and share some early racing thoughts whilst easing into the weekend.

Saturday was a day that, in hindsight, will not be forgotten for a very long time. We were heading for an exclusive stable tour of Nicolas Clement and Frauke Hermans’ yard. Frauke, widely known as ‘Flo’, has been assistant trainer to Nicolas for the last five years but since the start of the 2025 campaign, is now on the training licence!

We began with a guided tour around the yard from Nicolas - himself a man that, when he talks, you should always pay close attention to given his racing pedigree. The youngest ever trainer to win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, it was a real pinch-me moment to walk around a yard steeped in so much history.

The highlight of the morning came as we followed Nicolas up to the famous Chantilly forest gallops. And almost as if we had planned it, the rain that had been threatening soon disappeared and out came the sunshine! We took our positions along the side of the gallop, and emerging from the forest came Nicolas’s string of horses.

Nicolas and Frauke's string of horses coming up the gallops.

Afterwards, we shuttled back to the yard and were welcomed with an incredible platter of seafood, cheeses and wine — all served by the amazing Clement & Hermans team, who made everybody feel right at home.

With the Prix du Jockey Club just a day away, racing talk was in full flow. Nicolas, despite the old saying that “trainers are the worst tipsters,” kindly ran through the Sunday card and offered thoughts on his own runner in the opener, who he felt could outrun his odds.

Then came a surprise bonus: in what felt like a VIP racing brunch, Stéphane Pasquier, one of France’s most decorated jockeys, quietly joined the gathering. He shared a few thoughts on the weekend’s racing and his upcoming rides.

And just when we thought it couldn’t get better, John Hammond, legendary trainer of Montjeu and one of the most respected minds in European racing, was introduced. John also gave us his expert run-through of the card before everyone tucked into another round of food and headed back.

This was a morning that delivered far more than we could have ever imagined — and with a meal at Le Vertugadin, one of Chantilly’s finest restaurants, still to come, the weekend was only just getting started.

One of many seafood platters on offer!

That evening, we made the short walk to Le Vertugadin, a restaurant we know and love from past experience, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. In the midst of our meal, a football team from Paris were apparently playing in a big European final? And as we left to make the short journey back to our hotel, the streets of Chantilly were serenaded by car horns - so they must have won!

Alarm clock goes and it’s race day! After such an incredible Saturday, this was the cherry on top of the cake as the Prix du Jockey Club took centre stage at Chantilly racecourse. We made our way to the track just before mid-afternoon - and if you haven’t been already, it is truly a spectacular setting.

Racing got underway, and in the first race on a stacked card, we were all cheering on Nicolas and Frauke’s horse, who ran a blinder to finish third behind two very well-touted two-year-olds. Both Nicolas and Frauke then took time out of their busy schedules to come up to the hospitality area, where many of our guests were, and had a conversation with them about the race and the exciting plans ahead for the season. It was a brilliant touch that summed up the warmth and generosity we’d experienced all weekend.

Runners and riders ahead of the 2025 Prix du Jockey Club

From there, the day rolled on with a steady rhythm of top-quality action - and the Prix du Jockey Club lived up to its expectation! A masterclass from Ryan Moore once again, as Camille Pissarro manoeuvred his way through the field to power clear in the closing stages under a brave route from Moore. Another classic success for the master trainer of Ballydoyle, and it was fantastic to see both horse and jockey receive a brilliant welcome from the crowd at Chantilly.

We ended a magnificent day with a few drinks in a local bar, with the sun still shining down on Chantilly. Many trainers, stable staff and enthusiastic racegoers were in there too which made for a great end to an incredible weekend. One that will certainly live long in the memory for all involved.

Merci, Chantilly!