3rd Leg of the Grand Steeple - Chase Masters - Prix Murat - Goliath du Rheu Shines on his return to Steeplechasing

After an eighteen-month absence, Goliath du Rheu made a winning comeback over hurdles on February 24. On Sunday, he confirmed his impressive form with a brilliant victory in the Prix Murat, the third leg of the Grand Steeple-Chase Masters series—the lead-up circuit to the prestigious Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris (scheduled for Sunday, May 18 at Auteuil).

At just 6 years old, Goliath du Rheu was tackling Auteuil’s demanding outer steeplechase course for the first time, including the feared “rail-ditch and fence”, which he cleared with remarkable ease. In the home straight, he unleashed his power to assertively overtake Kolokico. Jazz Manouche completed the podium, ten lengths behind.

Ridden by Angelo Zuliani and trained by the seasoned François Nicolle, based in Saint-Augustin (Charente-Maritime), Goliath du Rheu appears poised to offer his trainer the one trophy still missing from an outstanding record: the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris.

See you in less than two months!

Official Results

1st GOLIATH DU RHEU (A. Zuliani)

2nd KOLOKICO (J. Reveley)

3rd JAZZ MANOUCHE (G. Meunier)

Quotes from Connections

François Nicolle (Trainer of Goliath du Rheu, 1st) – Training Center, Saint-Augustin (17)

"That’s exactly what I wanted to see! We always knew he had stamina. At four, he was already a star, and today, at six, he’s a true champion. He’s earned his ticket to the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris, and he’ll be a top contender. Now we just need to keep our fingers crossed that everything continues to go well."

Angelo Zuliani (Jockey of Goliath du Rheu, 1st)

"A big bravo to the Détré family for giving him the time he needed to come back. Since returning to the yard, he’s been making us dream. Today, he was incredible. I knew we were going to win when he relaxed before the rail ditch, as if he’d jumped it a thousand times. He’ll handle the 6,000 meters of the Grand Steeple, I’m sure of it."

Jacques Cyprès (Co-owner and breeder of Kolokico, 2nd) – Training Center, Vaumas (03)

"He ran very well, and I think he’s stepped up a level. He pulled a bit at the start, then settled nicely. He handled the outer course, which was new to him, really well. He was beaten by a very good horse. He kept his stride all the way to the post. That’s a great sign! We’ll have to think about it: either we run the Prix Ingré and the Prix des Drags, or we go straight to the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris. We still have time to decide!"

Lucie Pontoir (Trainer of Jazz Manouche, 3rd) – Training Center, Maisons-Laffitte (78)

"He ran very well and clearly improved on his form from the Prix Robert de Clermont-Tonnerre. Our goal was to finish in the top three, so I’m very pleased. Mission accomplished. See you at the Grand Steeple!"