€355,000 Ferdinand Dufaure 4yo Chase (Gr1): Kolokico took the scenic route

Sunday, 19 May 2024, Auteuil Racecourse (Paris). – The 2024 edition of the €355,000 Prix Ferdinand Dufaure (Gr1), the Premier 4-year-olds Chase of the season, was highly eventful, with numerous relays throughout the inner course of the Auteuil steeplechase.

The race began briskly, led by the favourite Karre d’As (Balko), with Nosferatu (Kamsin) falling at the oxer midway through. At the river jump in front of the stands, the challenger Kaadam (Saint des Saints), who had only raced once this season, rejoined the leading filly, followed closely by Juderose (Willywell) and Kolokico (Cokoriko).

On the back straight, Karre d’As could no longer maintain the lead, and Kolokico slipped through on the inside after the big open-ditch to take over, still flanked by Kaadam and Juderose, while Kador de Ciergues (Masterstroke) launched his own attack in the last turn.

In the end, Kolokico had broken away and, despite a good finish, Kador de Ciergues could not catch him. The two AQPS finished within seven lengths of each other, while further back, after responding to all challenges, Kaadam lost third place to Koriste (Cokoriko), who had kept a low profile in this frenetic race.

This was Kolokico’s seventh start and his third over fences. Bred by Jacques and Nicolas Cyprès, who also own him along with Lord Daresbury, Kolokico began his career thirteen months ago over the flat at Moulins, finishing third in his first two races, both over 1m4f. He made his hurdles debut at Auteuil in the Isopani 3yo AQPS Hurdle race, last October, winning on his first attempt over fences at Pau this winter. Fourth over hurdles at Auteuil for his come back, he then returned to winning form over fences in the Prix René Couétil, a month before this outstanding performance.

Kolokico is the third foal out of the unraced mare Courtisane (Charming Groom), who also produced a flat winner at Lignières, Interdite (Free Port Lux). The second dam, Fortanea (Vidéo Rock), is none other than the dam of Saint Are (Network), second in the 2015 Grand National at Liverpool, and Naiade Mag (Kadalko), the dam of the champion Vroum Vroum Mag (Voix du Nord).