First Steeple Appearance and First Victory for Kivala du Berlais

Grand Steeple-Chase Masters 2026

3rd leg – Prix Murat – Auteuil

First Steeple Appearance and First Victory for Kivala du Berlais

RACE SUMMARY

On Saturday at Auteuil racecourse, the highlight of the day was the Prix Murat (Grade 2), the third leg of the Grand Steeple-Chase Masters, series leading to the most prestigious French jump race: the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris (Grade 1), which will take place on Sunday, May 17, at Auteuil.

Victory went to the surprising Kivala du Berlais. A top-level performer over hurdles, the 5-year-old gelding had never been seen in a steeplechase before. Yet, on his debut over the larger obstacles, Kivala du Berlais won in style. His jockey, Felix de Giles, settled him patiently, keeping him at the back of the field for a long time. After making a mistake at the rail ditch, he gradually made up ground on the final turn before swooping past Kolokico and asserting his superiority in the closing stages. Kivala du Berlais eventually won by a length and a half ahead of Kolokico, with Kapaca de Thaix finishing third, eight and a half lengths further back.

The performance was all the more impressive as Kivala du Berlais had not been seen since November 16, when he finished sixth in the Prix Renaud du Vivier – Grande Course de Haies des 4 Ans (Grade 1). He is trained in Lamorlaye by former jockey David Cottin. Bred by the Lucas family at Haras du Berlais in Ceaux-en-Couhé (Poitou), Kivala du Berlais is co-owned by Stéphane Szwarc, Haras du Berlais, and Alain Benaroch.

Official Result

1st     KIVALA DU BERLAIS (F. de Giles)

2nd     KOLOKICO (J. Reveley)

3rd      KAPACA DE THAIX (L. Zuliani)

Quotes from the Winners

Felix de Giles (jockey of Kivala du Berlais, 1st) :

“Kivala du Berlais is a talented horse. He knows how to jump and organize himself. He’s an intelligent horse, so I wasn’t worried. That said, he did make a small mistake at the rail ditch. It’s a course with plenty of traps. He showed great courage and was at his best today.”

David Cottin (trainer of Kivala du Berlais, 1st) – Lamorlaye (60):

“Kivala du Berlais is really in good form at the moment, and it shows. Beyond that, he’s above all a very good jumper. He has natural ability, experience, and it’s clear in the way he approaches his fences.

He’s a bit right-handed, can sometimes get unsettled, and doesn’t always run a perfect race. But recently—especially last week—he was in very good shape. I felt that on this kind of track, against experienced horses, going two laps might suit him better. And he has class—we’ve known that from the start. We’ll see how he recovers. With him, everything depends on his condition. He can have ups and downs and isn’t always the easiest to train. He’ll tell us what comes next. It could be the Grand Steeple-Chase or the Prix des Drags (Group 2, May 30).”

Jacques Cyprès (co-breeder and co-owner of Kolokico, 2nd):

“Kolokico ran very well. He jumped the rail ditch well and was able to make another effort on the flat. See you at the Grand Steeple!”

Daniela Mele (trainer of Kapaca de Thaix, 3rd) – Gavray (50): 

“Kapaca de Thaix fought on to take third place, and that’s very good. The use of Australian blinkers worked well. The horse stayed obedient. He was able to settle behind at one point, made a small mistake which allowed him to catch his breath. Over the big fences, things didn’t come ideally, but he coped well. He’s not an Auteuil star, but he produced a very fine performance with heart. And above all, he’s in good form at the moment. He’s earned the right to continue the adventure.”

Contact Presse France Galop

Héléna Dupuy - 06 30 41 85 89 - hdupuy@france-galop.com