After winning a minor race on his seasonal debut he won a strongly-contested edition of the Henry II Stakes and then recorded his biggest success in the Ascot Gold Cup.
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.
[7] On 1 June, Papineau started as the 8/1 third favourite for the Group One Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly Racecourse in which he was ridden by Frankie Dettori.
[8] At the end of the year, Papineau was transferred to Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin Racing team and was trained by André Fabre and then by Saeed bin Suroor.
[5][6][9] Papineau made his British debut in a minor takes race over one and a half miles at Goodwood Racecourse on 19 May in which he was ridden by the Australian Kerrin McEvoy.
[10] Twelve days later, Papineau was stepped up in class and distance to contest the Group Three Henry II Stakes over two miles at Sandown Park Racecourse.
Ridden by Dettori, he tracked the leaders before taking the lead approaching the final furlong, and won by one and a half lengths from Mr Dinos, with New South Wales in third.
Mr Dinos (the 5/4 favourite), Royal Rebel, New South Wales and Misternando were again in opposition along with Brian Boru, Westerner, Ingrandire (Tenno Sho), Darasim (Prix Kergorlay) and Alcazar (Sagaro Stakes).
Papineau was made the third favourite for the Gold Cup, but never looked likely to win and was virtually pulled-up by McEvoy in the straight and finished sixteenth of the seventeen runners behind Westerner.