The colt recorded his first success of the year in a minor race at Longchamp Racecourse in April and then won the Listed Prix de Suresnes over 2100 metres at the same track on 2 May.
Two weeks later Hernando was moved up in class for the Group One Prix Lupin in which he was matched against the undefeated British-trained Armiger, winner of the Racing Post Trophy and the Chester Vase.
Hernando drew away from his rivals in the closing stages to win by two and a half lengths from Dernieur Empereur, with Hunting Hawk taking third ahead of the British challenger Newton's Law.
Hernando tracked the leaders before moving up into second place behind Commander in Chief approaching the final furlong and finished three quarters of a length second to the British colt after a sustained struggle throughout the closing stages.
He won by a length from Triarius, with the British challengers Beneficial (King Edward VII Stakes) and Blush Rambler in third and fourth ahead of the favourite Richard of York.
[6] Hernando started 7/10 favourite for the Prix Foy in September, but after being denied a clear run in the straight he finished fourth of the five runners behind Richard of York, Intrepidity and Apple Tree.
[8] Hernando began his five-year-old season in May 1995 when he started favourite for the Prix Ganay but finished only fifth of the ten runners behind Pelder, Alderbrook, Richard of York and Freedom Cry.
[9] In September, Hernando was sent to Ireland for the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown Racecourse, but failed to reproduce his best form, finishing seventh of the eight runners behind Pentire.
Held up towards the rear of the field in the early stages, he made steady progress in the straight to finish third behind the German horse Lando and the locally trained filly Hishi Amazon.