21 May 2023
Photo scoopdyga.com
Sunday, 21st May 2023, Auteuil Racecourse (Paris). - Unbeaten in three outings over the steeplechase, but out of the Jean Stern 4yo Chase (Gr2), the ultimate preparatory race, Juntos Ganamos (Martaline) started as the big favourite for the €355,000 Ferdinand Dufaure 4yo Chase (Gr1). Owned by Gérard Augustin-Normand, Margaux Cottin, David Cottin, Michael Rizieri, Thomas Sivadier, and Stéphanie Nigge, the gelding fully justified this confidence by winning by six lengths, despite being interfered with by a loose horse near him in the final stages. The Felix de Giles-ridden gelding ran in third position until the back straight, where he took over and was never really challenged, even though La Marche Bleue (Saint des Saints) tried to make her move off the bend. She looked like a live chance up to the last hurdle but couldn't keep up after that and stayed on in second, two lengths ahead of Jazz Manouche (Nom de d’La), always seen close to the leaders.
Juntos Ganamos was bred by Magalen Bryant, who sold him in May 2022 for €45,000 to Highflyer Bloodstock. His yearling brother by Saint des Saints was knocked down for €85,000 last November to SAS Saubouas Bloodstock in Deauville.