Grand steeple-Chase Masters Kif Kif Bourricot Positions Itself in the Race for the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris

On Saturday, at the Auteuil racecourse, all eyes were on Kaadam to win the Prix Troytown, the second stage of the Masters leading to the most legendary French race: the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris (May 18)… but it was Kif Kif Bourricot who delivered the surprise, effortlessly dominating the heavy favorite in the final straight.

Against Kaadam, Kif Kif Bourricot had two undeniable advantages: he had already run twice this year, securing two victories in Pau, while Kaadam was making his seasonal debut after an absence dating back to November 17. Additionally, Kif Kif Bourricot carried 4 kg less than his rival.

Kif Kif Bourricot brought his young trainer, Gabriel “Gaby” Leenders, his first Prix Troytown victory. Interestingly, the horse’s lineage, developed by Haras de Saint-Voir (owned by Nicolas de Lageneste), has already been at the origin of several “firsts” for Gaby Leenders. The trainer won his first Listed race with Kif Kif Bourricot’s dam and his first Group 1 (the highest level in horse racing) with Kif Kif Bourricot’s uncle… so why not a first Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris (Group 1) with Kif Kif Bourricot himself?

It would make for a great story, though nothing has been decided yet regarding the horse’s upcoming schedule (see below).

Official Results

1st – KIF KIF BOURRICOT (F. de Giles)

2nd – KAADAM (G. Masure)

3rd – HASARD DE BRION (J. Reveley)

Trainers' and Jockeys' Reactions

Gabriel Leenders (Trainer of Kif Kif Bourricot, 1st) – Jarzé (49)

“He is impressive. That being said, Kif Kif Bourricot was race-fit, whereas Kaadam was making his comeback. This was the right day to try and beat him. We were all affected by the lack of pace, including Kif Kif Bourricot and Kaadam. Both made small mistakes. Kif Kif Bourricot had the advantage of having raced at Pau. But we still don’t know his limits. We will discuss with Nicolas de Lageneste to determine his next steps. Will he head to a hurdle race? Or will we attempt the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris?

Before the race, we expected to finish second behind Kaadam and then prepare for the Prix Rigoletto (L). But now, the scenario has completely changed! We have a good problem on our hands. However, it's not easy to race at Pau and then go straight to the Grand Steeple. We must preserve the horse.”

Félix de Giles (Jockey of Kif Kif Bourricot, 1st)

“He has an excellent turn of foot. I thought he would be more of a 'tractor' before the race, but I was wrong. He is still a bit immature. He only has one previous steeplechase race here, so he still needs to learn. Gabriel Leenders and Nicolas de Lageneste were right to take the risk of running him today, as this race was an excellent introduction to this course. In my opinion, he won’t have any distance issues if he takes a shot at the longer Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris.”

François Pamart (Co-Trainer of Kaadam, 2nd) – Royan-La Palmyre Training Center (17)

“The horse was just ready to run his race. He was a bit keen for two-thirds of the course. Kaadam was forced to take the lead at the river jump. There’s nothing to complain about—it was a good seasonal debut. Thankfully, he’s a good jumper because he clipped the back bar of the rail-ditch jump. He ran well!”

Manon Scandella-Lacaille (Trainer of Hasard de Brion, 3rd) – Calas-Cabriès Training Center (13)

“For a semi-seasonal debut against top-class horses, Hasard de Brion delivered an excellent performance and completely redeemed himself. As he matures, he is more comfortable on relatively fast tracks, like today, rather than on the truly heavy ground of Auteuil, which he has proven before. Furthermore, Hasard de Brion is entering his favorite time of year. We will see how he recovers from this race, but the Grand Steeple remains an objective. He proves that horses from the Southeast can perform well at Auteuil in major races.”