23 May 2021
Sunday, May 23, 2021, Auteuil Racecourse (Paris). - Winner of his two previous chases, including the Jean Stern 4yo Chase (Gr2), after a second-place for his chasing debut at Compiegne in March, Le Listrac (Balko) brilliantly confirmed that he was here to stay by winning the 71st Ferdinand Dufaure 4yo Chase (Gr1). Held in the rear by his young rider Lucas Zuliani in a race led fast by a remarkable Hades (Mastrestroke), he fought his way to the top to score by two lengths, beating a closing L’Aubonnière (Doctor Dino), who peeped Hades for 2nd place.
It was a Gr1 exacta for trainer François Nicolle, who'd already won the race once, and the first win at Gr1 level for Lucas Zuliani.
Le Listrac had concluded his 2020 campaign with 4th place in the Cambacérès 3-year-old Hurdle Race (Gr1).
Le Listrac was bred by his owner, the Carion family. He belongs to the family of Le Chablis, who finished 4th in the 2002 Ferdinand Dufaure but won the same race in the Autumn, the Maurice Gillois (Gr1).
Le Listrac's dam, Margonote (Poliglote), never ran. He's her first foal, followed by a Masterstroke filly.