We were delighted to learn from Adrien Cugnasse, editor-in-chief of the French racing magazine Jour de Galop, that an article was written concerning our recent “Walking Lion” feature and the trophy’s controversial history. Below is the translation of  “Erreur,” which was included in the magazine’s “Le Mot De La Fin” (“The Last Word”) section on June 14, 2023. How apropos for Fille de l’Air and her stunning “Walking Lion” to finally get the “last word” and a happy ending!

ERROR
On social networks, there’s the worst…but also, sometimes, the best. Recently, the @TurfHistoryTime account unveiled an out-of-the-ordinary find. Last Sunday, La Coupe (Gr3) was being run at Longchamp, an event that has existed since 1865, the year Fille de l’Air (Faugh-a-Ballagh) won. This champion performed under the colors of Count Frédéric de Lagrange, the man behind Gladiateur (Monarque). The trophy for this first edition was a spectacular Lion qui marche. When Lagrange died, it fell into the hands of American collectors. It was attributed to Gladiateur’s victory in the Grand Prix de Paris. Passing from hand to hand, the error was transformed into “Grand Prix at the Longchamps”. After all, there’s only a year’s difference between Gladiateur’s date of birth and that of Fille de l’Air! So, in the absence of an inscription, archivists with little interest in equestrian culture (and presumably non-French speakers) peddled false information for decades. The story has a happy ending, as the Walking Lion is now accompanied by the right legend. And it can now be seen in a temporary exhibition at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore (USA)…