€135,000 Robert Lejeune 3yo Hurdle (Gr3): Master d'Oc makes good use of perfect conditions

Saturday, September 23, 2023, Auteuil Racecourse (Paris). – The €135,000 Robert Lejeune 3yo Hurdle Race (Gr3) is restricet to colts and geldings. Two of the seven starters were unbeaten at the start: the favourite Jigme (Motivator), winner of the Aguado 3yo Hurdle race (Gr3) last spring in front of Léon du Berlais (Authorized), also competing here, and Light Wave (Hunter’s Light), seeking confirmation three weeks after his first Auteuil win in the Platanes 3yo Hurdle Race (L).

As often happens with such scenarios, a dark horse, Master d'Oc (Doctor Dino), seized the opportunity to accelerate at the right moment after letting the two favourites fight over. Light Wave led by a significant margin from the grandstand passage up to the final turn, where Jigme, who had been leading the chase, caught up with him. Like Master d'Oc, Léon du Berlais had waited in a good position for the final phase to try to capitalize on the situation. Light Wave quickly surrendered, but Jigme, carrying an extra nine pounds, was not yet in the clear. He faced challenges from Master d'Oc, then Léon du Berlais, with Sultan Pierji (Ectot) continuing his effort just behind. In the run-in, these four had left the other runners behind, and Master d'Oc triumphed by a neck over a strong Léon du Berlais, while Jigme fought bravely to the end, giving away a good length. Theoretically, at level weights, he would have won by a length. The competition is far from over!

Master d'Oc, nonetheless, was coming back from the longest absence, 168 days having elapsed since the entire colt owned by Haras du Saubouas and Haras d'Étreham had finished second in the Champaubert 3yo Hurdle Race after coming third on his debut behind… Jigme and Léon du Berlais!

Bred in the Tarn region by the GAEC de la Seguegne and Jean-Michel Campos, Master d’Oc is the seventh foal out of the maiden Juddmonte-bred mare, Mind Master (Mizzen Mast), also the dam of the star hurdler Master Dino (Doctor Dino), winner of the Prix Cambacérès 3yo Hurdle Race (Gr1) and the Prix Renaud du Vivier 4yo Hrdle Race (Gr1).

More recently, the mare has also given another 2-year-old Doctor Dino colt and a Nirvana du Berlais weanling colt. Their sister Mind Sunday (Never On Sunday), a 7-year-old winner on the flat, was sold for £22,000 at Goffs UK last May.