Selma De Vary (4/1) and Paul Townend won the Grade 1 Prix Alain De Breil at Auteuil on Sunday afternoon.
Trained by Willie Mullins and wearing the colors of Rich Ricci, the daughter of Zarak cleared the four-year-old hurdle over 2 m 3 f and 85 yards on the Parisian track.
Second in the Grade 1 Boodles Hurdle at Aintree on April 9, Lisgoold-born Townend kept the Frenchman at bay throughout the journey as he sought slightly better ground on the soggy track.
What a performance!
SELMA DE VARY wins the Grade 1 Prix Alain du Breil!
A fourth victory in the race to @WillieMullinsNH! pic.twitter.com/0mVscFpdrI
– At the Races (@AtTheRaces) May 17, 2026
The former Irish champion jockey made an eye-catching move behind the back as he instructed the filly to move towards the front of the pack.
The four-year-old jumped well over the final two hurdles of the straight and fought to the line to hold off a final challenge from eventual runner-up and joint favorite Delmegan, who fell short by a neck at the line.
“She’s learning a lot!”@PTownend delivers its verdict on the triumph of Selma De Vary in Grade 1 at Auteuil… pic.twitter.com/2saRFCOKU3
– At the Races (@AtTheRaces) May 17, 2026
Léopard Du Berlais, the other joint 2/1 favorite, was third, six and a half lengths behind second.
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