'He's watching over us' - big Auteuil winner an emotional one for Theleme camp

Saturday: Auteuil

Jim Gordon was a quiet but constant presence on the big days at Auteuil and, almost two years to the day since the Yorkshire-based owner's death, the classy Theleme carried his blue and orange silks to success in the Grade 1 Grand Prix d'Automne.

There were memorable scenes in the winner's enclosure – not a single member of the wider Gordon clan was missing – after Pierre Dubourg delivered Theleme from well off the ferocious pace set by L'Autonomie, surging clear of his perennial rival Hermes Baie.

With the presentation podium full to overflowing with grandchildren, Gordon's children, Helen, Stuart and Lisa, were able to reflect on the five-year-old's third consecutive success at the big November meeting.

Theleme returns after his triumphCredit: Racing Post / Scott Burton

"I was really nervous beforehand because it's like Man City, Liverpool and Real Madrid all going up against each other with these three horses, you just never know," said Stuart Gordon.

"But he ran the perfect race and he looked really comfortable coming round that last bend.

"He was the last horse my father bought and it's quite emotional really."

Lisa Gordon added: "It will be the two-year-anniversary tomorrow. He's watching over us."

Asked how they planned to celebrate victory, Helen Gordon said: "We're going to take photos of our trophy all round Paris and drink lots of champagne."

The Willie Mullins-trained Stratum was last seen finishing fourth to Trueshan on the Flat on Champions Day but was never quite able to go the pace and finished a distant seventh.

Joy for De Giles

The David Cottin-trained Juntos Ganamos marked himself out the leader of his generation in edging out Goliath Du Rheu in the Grade 2 Prix Congress for three-year-old chasers.

It was a victory rendered all the more remarkable as the son of Martaline was making his debut over fences, having failed to win either of his hurdling starts.

Felix de Giles and Juntos Ganamos after their victoryCredit: Racing Post / Scott Burton

Felix de Giles found himself on the wrong side of the leader Castellet, who jumped to his right at the last two fences, and had to be at his strongest in the finish aboard Juntos Ganamos.

"Neither of the first two had run over fences before; they clearly have talent to make up for their lack of experience and are both exciting horses for the future," said De Giles.

"It was a brave decision to come here but it has paid off."

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