Jean Stern 4YO Chase: Gardons Le Sourire is not joking
Photo scoopdyga.com
Sunday, May 17, 2020, Auteuil. - The €145,000 Jean Stern 4YO Chase (Gr2) is the main prep race for the young generation en route to the Ferdinand Dufaure 4YO Chase (Gr1).
They were six after Autour de Minuit (Saint des Saints) was withdrawn. Led by Dream Wish (Dream Well), who was giving 6lbs, the race was still pretty much undecided two out. Finally, Gardons le Sourire (Fame and Glory), bred and owned by the Haras de Saint-Voir, took over the front-runner after the last jump and won by three and a half lengths. Always noted near the leaders, Road Senam (Saint des Saints) finished well and took a head to Dream Wish for the second place. Al Cuarto (Nicaron) came back well to finish fourth after taking a breather in the last turn.
Gardons le Sourire won two of his first three hurdle races, then won his first chase at Compiègne in October. Three weeks later, he tried his luck at Auteuil and he finished second to The Revenant. He is trained by Gabriel Leenders.
He is out of Place au Soleil (Trempolino), winner of four flat races, including a handicap with a 64lbs rating, and dam of jumps winners including Drôle d'Idée (Coastal Path), winner of a Listed Mares Hurdle Race at Auteuil. Place au Soleil also foaled a 3-year-old filly by Network and a gelding by Ectot born in 2019.