At the age of 9, Gold Tweet sets his sights on the Grand Steeple
Grand Steeple-Chase Masters 2026
4th leg – Prix Ingré
At the age of 9, Gold Tweet sets his sights on the Grand Steeple
Race Summary
On Saturday, at Auteuil racecourse, the highlight of the day was the Prix Ingré (Group 2), the final leg of the Grand Steeple-Chase Masters leading to the most iconic French jumps race: the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris (Group 1, to be run on Sunday, May 17, at Auteuil). The Prix Ingré has often been rightly considered the best stepping stone to the Grand Steeple. Mid Dancer, Bel la Vie, Storm of Saintly, Milord Thomas, Docteur de Ballon or, more recently, Diamond Carl all won or placed in this Group 2 before going on to win the Grand Steeple… In the 2026 edition of the Prix Ingré, victory went to a surprising and courageous Gold Tweet. Jockey Clément Lefebvre was in the saddle, having won the 2024 and 2025 editions of the Grand Steeple.
Crown du Berlais and Lacokokeldy set the pace. Kaadam lost time when hesitating at the stands ditch before making a mistake at the rail ditch and fences, losing his rider on that occasion. Turning for home, Lacokokeldy and Toscana du Berlais looked like the likely winners. But that was without counting on Gold Tweet who, on good ground, came to take the lead between the final two fences and powered clear for a stylish victory after having been held up during the race. Toscana du Berlais finished second, carrying 4 kg more than the winner, ahead of Lacokokeldy.
Gold Tweet’s performance, a small horse with a big heart, is all the more remarkable as he was coming off a seventh-place finish in the Cheltenham Gold Cup (Group 1), the English equivalent of the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris. He finished sixth in the 2024 Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris. His record is exceptional for its diversity, having won at Group level under different conditions, namely the steeple-chase at Compiègne, over hurdles at Cheltenham and in the Auteuil steeple-chase, twice.
Gold Tweet runs for a partnership between the Vayre family (AGV Karwin Stud), Gabriel Leender, Mickael Lasry, Ruben Seror and Laurence Baudouin. He was bred by former trainer Elie Lellouche and was purchased for just €14,000 at Osarus.
Official Result
1st GOLD TWEET (C. Lefebvre)
2nd TOSCANA DU BERLAIS (F. Bayle)
3rd LACOKOKELDY (A. Zuliani)
Quotes from the Winners
Clément Lefebvre (jockey of Gold Tweet, 1st)
« Gold Tweet was wearing Australian blinkers for the first time. It was a real test before possibly going for the Grand Steeple. We weren’t necessarily looking for as good a result as the one we got today, but rather to see the horse finish as he had done before. And we hoped the blinkers would have a positive effect. Today we saw everything! And on top of that, we got the win. I really rode him for himself. He actually surprised me because I hadn’t planned to take the lead so soon. He behaved superbly on the final bend, taking huge breaths of air and staying relaxed. When I asked him to go on the attack, he really took hold of the bit. And I know that when he hits the front, he tends to idle a bit. But I thought to myself, now that I’m there, it’s too late to come back, so I had to go all the way. On top of that, he clipped the last hurdle but kept going again. It had already been planned before today that I would ride him in the big race, so this confirms it. I think he will stay the 6,000 metres. He has already finished sixth in a very strong edition of the Grand Steeple. »
Gabriel Leenders (trainer of Gold Tweet, 1st) – Jarzé (49)
« I’m proud of my horse, that’s all. I’ve had six months of difficulties and poor form. And these horses give us everything. Thank you, Gold Tweet. He was wearing Australian blinkers for the first time and was much more present. We’re going to sit down today and prepare him for the Grand Steeple. There will be champions at the start, and we’ve seen some five-year-olds coming through. When you walk the track, like at Cheltenham, you realise just how much these horses give us… They are brave. Gold Tweet, when you see him in the paddock or in the box, he is nothing but kindness. And he has always answered the call since the start of his career. Our friend Jocelyn Guedj, co-owner of the horse, passed away a few months ago. »
François Pamart (co-trainer of Toscana du Berlais, 2nd) – Les Mathes (17)
« Toscana ran very well carrying 70 kg. He is not yet at 100%, but he should be at his best for the Grand Steeple. The older he gets, the better he becomes. He is quite impressive because he can adapt to all types of ground. He is some horse. »
François Nicolle (trainer of Lacokokeldy, 3rd) – based in Saint-Augustin (17)
« She is incredible! Very good, she runs from start to finish. There’s nothing to say. We won’t go to the Grand Steeple, it comes a bit too soon for her, it’s not in the plans. We might instead aim for the Prix des Drags (Gr2 – May 30). Even I am a bit surprised, she impresses me. She’s a little thing, but she jumps like a cat. She does everything well, she has a huge heart. She is taking on real warriors who already have this course in their legs, whereas she was discovering it. She is a very good mare. She could become a Grand Steeple mare, but probably for next year. »
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