7 November 2021
Photo scoopdyga.com
November 7, 2021, Auteuil Racecourse (Paris). - In the final stages of an eventful La Haye Jousselin Chase (Gr1), the two older horses in the race, Carriacou (Califet) and Poly Grandchamp (Poliglote) ended on their own to fight for the Autumn Grand Steeple and the latter finally took over the 2019 Grand Steeple winner. It was, for the 9yo gelding owned by the Papot family, and trained by François Nicolle, his first win at such a high level, a third at Auteuil and at Group level in a career counting 39 races! Bred by Jean-Louis Guérin, he has earned now almost € 850 000, and at 13/1!
In a field reduced to 8 runners after Général en Chef was withdrawn, Feu Follet (Kapgarde) was pulled up before the second back straight jumps, after Enjeu d’Arthel (Saddler Maker) had unseated his rider at the Passy turn. The favourite Le Berry (Gemix) found himself leading but didn't look that easy and in the end, he simply couldn't cope with the old-timers. Ridden for the first time by Bertrand Lestrade, Poly Grandchamp had surprised most of his followers, even, by throwing the gauntlet even before the last turn. It proved to be the right way as he found a new lease of life to deny Carriacou, beaten 2 1/2 lengths with Le Berry third at over 7 lengths, as Figuero (Yeats) trained in 4th, being the only other finisher in the race ...
The winner was bred in the Orne department in Normandy by Jean-Louis Guérin. He's the first foal out of Qualia Grandchamp (Nikos), a winner over hurdles at Fontainebleau and Compiègne before entering stud. She then gave Dalia Grandchamp (Kapgarde), a year younger than Poly, the winner of 5 races and over € 550,000 and of the Edmond Barrachin 4yo Chase (Gr3) at Auteuil for the same connections as those of her older brother, and also 3rd in the 2018 La Haye Jousselin. More recently, Qualia Grandchamp gave two Kapgarde colts born in 2018 and 2019. The oldest, Icare Grandchamp, was bought for €75,000 as a weanling at Arqana in 2018 by Haras du Saubouas (Paul Basquin), and has just run for the 1st time when 6th over Hurdles at Auteuil in the Pride of Kildare 3yo beginners Hurdle race.
WHAT THEY SAID
The Saint-Augustin training centre (Charente-Maritime region)
François Nicolle (the trainer of Poly Grandchamp, 1st)
«I am very surprised because I did not see Poly Grandchamp gate crashing the party. Especially as Carriacou seemed to have plenty left in the final bend, and in view of the fact that my runner isn’t noted for his finishing power. However, he finished alright in this race! He was the saving grace of our weekend, which proved a tough one and very long drawn out one for us. Bertrand Lestrade rode a magnificent race, especially as he didn't know the horse. »
Bertrand Lestrade (the jockey of Poly Grandchamp, 1st)
«.Messieurs Nicolle and Papot gave me carte blanche as regards riding the horse, but we agreed amongst ourselves that, if there was an opportunity to be had, we would not let it pass us by. His put in a prodigious leap at the rail-ditch, and, following that, I decided to make the race harder for my horse’s rivals. On the final turn, I thought it was going to be a tough ask, but it wasn't! He never weakened and has a big, big heart. He's not the best ‘chaser in the world but he's the bravest, that's for sure! This victory is for one symptomatic of all the blows that life provides. I am no longer in the limelight, but it showed that I have what it takes at the highest level. I thank my family who provide me with a great deal of support. »
Xavier Papot (the owner of Poly Grandchamp, 1st)
«It's amazing! I was talking to my wife before the race and I told her that we were aiming for seventh place. We monitor the percentage of [our] horses concerned at the finish a great deal, and we were in the realms of 77 per cent. François [Nicolle] told me that Poly Grandchamp ran the risk of proving the stats wrong! However, Bertrand Lestrade rode a very good race and he certainly played a role in the victory. The horse was running-on past beaten horses, and it was because we were cast in the role of a no-hoper that we won. It was a fabulous weekend! »
The Maisons-Laffitte training centre (Yvelines region)
Isabelle Pacault (the trainer of Carriacou, 2nd)
«Carriacou again ran a blinder. What a duel! It’s all downs to the horses, above all! This is a magical weekend. James Reveley rode a peach of a race. He was upsides Poly Grandchamp who pulled out more, but Carriacou hates this ground, and, despite this, did you see how he responded? There are no regrets. We will back next year! »
The Chantilly training centre (Oise region)
Francis Teboul (co-owner of Le Berry, 3rd)
« We were disappointed by his effort but we have to accept the defeat. It's the law of sport and we have to conduct ourselves as gentlemen. During the race I was very tense. I was hopeful until the entrance of the last bend. In the straight, Poly Grandchamp and Carriacou went away from the others, and Le Berry could not pick up. Contrary to what he usually does, he couldn’t keep tabs on them. Maybe the distance was too long for him. We will reflect on this. The programme for five-year-olds is invariably far from straight forward. I think that we'll wait until next year before racing Le Berry again. We will come back bigger and stronger! »