The world of French horse racing is in shock. Losange Bleu, one of the most successful horses of his generation, collapsed in full competition, while he seemed to be heading towards another victory during the Prix Carmarthen, contested at the Auteuil racecourse, last Sunday in Paris.
Favorite of the event, the 7-year-old gelding, trained by Dominique Bressou, was leading the race when he suddenly collapsed, shortly after the last turn. His jockey, Johnny Charron, was thrown from his saddle and hit the track barrier. Fortunately he was not injured.
Veterinarians immediately intervened, but there was nothing they could do to save the horse. According to several witnesses, Johnny Charron returned to the weighing room in tears.
The exact circumstances of death remain unknown. An autopsy has been ordered to determine what caused the champion’s sudden collapse. Several hypotheses are mentioned, including a heart problem, a bone injury or an internal failure. None of these leads, however, have been confirmed.
An exceptional track record
Losange Bleu had built its reputation thanks to remarkable regularity. In 27 races, he had won 15 victories and finished on the podium 25 times. Double winner of the French championship in Auteuil, in 2024 and 2026, he had accumulated nearly 1.7 million francs in winnings during his career.
