Guillaume Macaire 'pleased to leave a mark on the history of racing'

In the immediate aftermath of Sel Jem adding a seventh star on Guillaume Macaire's impeccably tailored jacket, he told Sky Sports Racing he would be "in the coffin" before his new champion was beaten again.

Two races later he was ready to revise that opinion after Altesse Du Berlais proved herself the best four-year-old chaser in France, victory in the Grade 1 Prix Ferdinand Dufaure putting her on an eventual collision course with her year-older stablemate in next season's Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris.

Able to reflect on what – even by his own lofty and lengthy career standards – had been quite the day, Macaire said: "I'm happy for everyone but above all I'm pleased for myself because I'm inscribed on the roll of honour. I am pleased to leave a mark on the history of racing."

Power partnership: joint licence-holders Guillaume Macaire (second from right) and Hector de Lageneste (third from right) with jockey Baptiste Le Clerc after the Grade 1 victory of Altesse Du Berlais in the Prix Ferdinand DufaureCredit: Racing Post/Scott Burton

An authority and author of several books on the origins of jump racing in France, Macaire shares this seventh Grand Steeple-Chase success with joint licence-holder Hector de Lageneste, but was in reflective mood as to his own place in the pantheon.

"I love history and the passage of time adds value to anything you care to name," he said. "Winning the Epsom Derby to me is worth more than a Dubai World Cup, even though it's worth a lot less money."

What is all the more remarkable about the 66-year-old's collection of Grand Steeple-Chase trophies is that, even as near-neighbour Francois Nicolle has ended Macaire's former monopoly on the sport's biggest prizes, six of them have arrived in the last ten years.

"You have to have the right horse to win it," he said. "I had the right ones and I had the experience to know how to prepare them for the Grand Steeple-Chase. If you pick the right route, you're away."

Indeed some eyebrows were raised as his two candidates, Sel Jem and Feu Follet, were asked to run three weeks before the main event in the delayed Prix Ingre.

"I'd rather run them both in the Ingre and not work them too hard in the morning, just keep them ticking over. It's what I've done in past years and the proof is there."

Altesse Du Berlais provided a first Grade 1 win for 20-year-old Baptiste le ClercCredit: Racing Post/Scott Burton

And in case any of his rivals might be hoping that Macaire's run will come to an end anytime soon, he and Lageneste look to have the most serious rival to Sel Jem housed in the same yard.

Macaire said of Altesse Du Berlais's decisive victory: "I wouldn't be at all surprised if she lines up in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris next year. When you win a Group 1 at four – the Ferdinand Dufaure or the Maurice Gillois – you have to think like that.

"Sel jem was beaten on the nod in the Prix Maurice Gillois but he had run to the sort of rating that entitled him to be aimed at the Grand Steeple-Chase.

"She'll follow the obvious route this autumn and will be facing the same horses in the Maurice Gillois. After that it's logical she runs in the big one at the age of five."

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