€140,000 Fondeur 5yo Chase (Gr3): Jeune Coko picks right fight

Auteuil, France – November 17, 2024 – Although restricted to 5-year-olds, the €150,000 Prix Fondeur (Gr3) steeplechase has nevertheless crowned authentic champions such as Il Est Français, Dream Wish, Enjeu d'Arthel, Bipolaire, and As d'Estruval. This alternative route was taken this time by the AQPS Jeune Coko (Cokoriko), who was running in his fourth steeplechase and thus won his first victory after taking a third place and three second places over fences. He made gradual headway and allowed the mare Alcyone Rouge (Pastorius) to take second place from the favourite Kashdam (Kapgarde), who had gotten the better of her in the final turn and challenged the winner but perhaps overestimated his strength.

Bred by his trainer and co-owner Emmanuel Clayeux, Jeune Coko races in the colours of Roger Stanley. He is the third foal out of Bluette du Seuil (Network), a maiden on the track and a sister to the useful Vicomte du Seuil (Special Kaldoun), winner of twelve races from the ages of four to eleven. The 4-year-old Kouroukoukou (Victory Song) is also in training with Emmanuel Clayeux and has won over steeplechases and on the flat in the Center-East region.