Before being able to enjoy the essential chic picnic with your feet in the grass, Sophie Thalmann will have to keep an eye everywhere, Sunday during the Prix de Diane, which will bring together the seventeen best 3-year-old fillies in Europe.
The former Miss France 1998 will follow with attention one of the key events of the equestrian season, where she will encourage her husband at the ten Golden Cravache, winner of two Prix de Diane, the Belgian jockey Christophe Soumillon who, at 40 years, will be associated with
Khalidiya
, property of His Highness the Aga Khan.
While organizing, for the eighth time in a row, the “Mademoiselle Diane” competition of elegance which sets the pace each year at the Chantilly racecourse (Oise).
Will the competition of elegance be able to be held as usual, taking into account the health context?
SOPHIE THALMANN.
This is the first year that we will experience the Prix de Diane in such special conditions.
The competition will have been launched upstream thanks to photos that the candidates sent us via social networks.
I keep my role as president of the jury, and I will have to choose the winner myself.
📆 D-5 before the #PrixdeDiane @Longines.
Who do you think will win the title of the best 3-year-old filly?
🤩
Last places available 👉 https://t.co/S5eRrh3Fb2 pic.twitter.com/QvlhXcT8pK
- France Galop (@francegalop) June 15, 2021
Unfortunately, there will not be a parade as always, a champagne bar or a podium… We have to adapt.
But we still wanted to maintain it, and the winner will leave with a beautiful Longines watch, that does not change!
Next year will be all the more beautiful.
Beyond the sporting side, these extravagant hats and these incredible outfits are also the charm of this mythical and glamorous Prize ...
This competition always reminds me of the one offered by our English neighbors, the Royal Ascot.
This edition will still remain that of elegance, and nothing prevents people from coming to the parade with their most beautiful hats.
Afterwards, by composing with the hat, plus the mask, it is certain that it will be a question of innovating to make it fun (laughs)!
The mask will become an accessory in its own right.
Me, in any case, I will rather opt for a kind of headband, something quite light that I can combine with the mask.
Have you been given instructions to ensure that the event takes place in good conditions?
The gauge was set at 5,000 people on site.
They will be able to experience the event provided they have either the health pass or a PCR test valid for less than forty-eight hours.
Afterwards, with these imperatives, we wait to see who will play the game and who will come.
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➡️ https://t.co/gXG8nehsRS pic.twitter.com/6SRmYKdLqs
- Le Parisien - Sports (@LeParisienSport) June 16, 2021
We already know that there will be only a few well-known faces and no great ambassadors like every year.
But everything will be done so that we forget these constraints a little, and that we have a good time.
It is true that, under these conditions, it will be a first for everyone.
Along with the style contest, you will also follow with a particular eye the race of your husband, Christophe Soumillon ...
Obviously!
He was an archi favorite for many years, so there was always that little extra pressure.
But since it is a little less expected, we benefit more easily.
Even if before the Prize, I am always the most stressed!
I have the children to manage
(Editor's note: they have three, Charlie, Mika and Robin)
, in addition to organizing everything on site.
On the big day, I always have to run to the right and to the left, and I also have to make sure I don't miss the race.
In heels, sometimes it's not always easy (laughs)!
In any case, I love going there, it is an exceptional setting with these large stables and this exceptional castle in decor.
How does he behave at home, in the days or hours leading up to an event like this?
Christophe remains the same, serene, focused.
With him, that's what's incredible: it's still days like any other.
At home, the two of us never discuss it.
It remains his job, and when he walks through the door, we don't talk about all that.
It's always been like this since we've been together.
But I still take great pleasure in following him on his races and encouraging him.
