Christophe Soumillon
On his racecourse debut, Papineau started favourite for the Prix Aveu over 2400 metres at Saint-Cloud Racecourse on 2 April. Ridden by Christophe Soumillon he led for most of the way before being caught in the final strides and beaten a short head by Touch of Land, a colt who went on to win two editions of the Prix Dollar. At the end of the month over the same course and distance he recorded his first success, beating Well Dressed by one and a half lengths. In May, he was moved up in class for the Listed Prix de l'Avre at Longchamp Racecourse and started the 1/5 favourite against four opponents. Ridden by Soumillon, he raced in third place before taking the lead 100 metres out and won by a neck from Affirmative Action. On 1 June, Papineau started the 8/1 third favourite for the Group One Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly Racecourse in which he was ridden by Frankie Dettori. After taking the lead in the straight he weakened in the closing stages and finished fifth of the seven runners behind Dalakhani. After the race, Dettori said "He was the first beaten and the ground was too fast for this colt".