Shocking at the Prix Maurice de Nieuil: Jockey Aurélien Lemaître was furious, refusing to shake Mickael Barzalona’s hand immediately after the tense match. And his five-word statement, addressed directly to Mickael Barzalona, left him speechless.

This Sunday, July 13, 2025, the ParisLongchamp racecourse was the scene of a scene as unexpected as it was tense. While spectators had just witnessed a spectacular race in the Prix Maurice de Nieuil (Group II), the real shock didn’t occur on the track… but just after the finish line.

Mickael Barzalona had just crossed the post in the lead with Sibayan, to the cheers of a captivated crowd. Behind him, Aurélien Lemaître finished second with Internaute, just a few strides behind. A great performance? Certainly. But the moment the two jockeys dismounted, the atmosphere changed completely.

As Barzalona approached Lemaître with a smile to offer his hand, the latter coldly ignored him, looking away with a closed face. And then, in a calm but sharp voice, he uttered five words that would quickly set the horse racing world ablaze: “Do you always win like this?”

What should have been a moment of sportsmanship instantly turned into a clash in front of the cameras, officials, and a crowd that was initially stunned… and then completely divided. Some saw it as a simple excess of emotion in the defeat, others as a clear sign of underlying tension between the two jockeys . According to several observers, Barzalona’s maneuver in the final 300 meters—cutting back slightly toward the rail—compromised Lemaître’s trajectory and broke his momentum. Not illegal, but certainly borderline, experts say.

The gesture and the phrase immediately inflamed social media. In less than an hour, slow-motion videos of the incident were already everywhere, accompanied by heated comments, memes, and endless debates. The hashtag #LemaîtreVsBarzalona became a national trend. Some users praised Lemaître’s composure and courage, while others denounced his unsportsmanlike and disrespectful attitude.

So far, neither France Galop nor the stewards have issued an official statement, but behind the scenes, discussions are underway. It’s rumored that a complaint could be filed by Internaute’s team. For his part, Barzalona has refrained from commenting, but his silence has only fueled public curiosity.

One thing is certain: this post-race scene will be remembered. And while Barzalona won the race, Lemaître stole the show . French racing may not have seen the last of this growing rivalry yet.