Prix Maurice Gillois – Grand Steeple-Chase des 4 ans - Métronomique wins in commanding fashion
48H DE L’OBSTACLE – Auteuil
PRIX PRIX MAURICE GILLOIS – GRAND
STEEPLE-CHASE DES 4 ANS
Métronomique wins in commanding fashion
Having won the Prix Ferdinand Dufaure in the spring, Métronomique achieved a remarkable feat by claiming the Prix Maurice Gillois – Grand Steeple-Chase for Four-Year-Olds just six months later, the first Group 1 race on the second day of the 48H de l’Obstacle. No horse had completed this double since Oculi in 2008.
Métronomique was ridden with tremendous confidence by James Reveley, who is set to embark on a training career in the near future. Always at the head of the field, he scored an emphatic victory over Teen Spirit, who is also trained by the Noel George-Amanda Zetterholm partnership, based in Avilly-Saint-Léonard, near Chantilly. Mélisse du Mathan finished third.
Métronomique is owned by a syndicate of British owners comprising Sharon Colleen Nelson, Vicki Robinson, Dermot O’Donohoe and John Cavanagh. He was bred in the Orne department of France by Edwige Le Metayer (Haras du Buff).
Official Result
1st MÉTRONOMIQUE (J. Reveley)
2nd TEEN SPIRIT (F. de Giles)
3rd MÉLISSE DU MATHAN (G. Masure)
Winning margins: 14 lengths, 15 lengths.
Reactions from the Connections
Noel George, co-trainer of Métronomique (1st) and Teen Spirit (2nd), based at the Chantilly training centre (Oise)
“What a superstar Métronomique is! I wasn't expecting him to produce such a performance over 4,400 metres in the autumn, but he has once again shown that he is simply out of this world. He has been full of energy over the past few days. Karine, his exercise rider, who has brought him to peak fitness, was even struggling to hold him, he was feeling so well.
His jockey told me that he was very relaxed and jumped perfectly. He is simply a true champion. James Reveley also deserves tremendous credit for his ride. Watching horses jump so well under him is exceptional. He knows how to ride them prominently while getting them to jump every obstacle to perfection. We are going to miss him enormously next year.
As for Métronomique's future, I believe he has all the qualities needed to compete at the very highest level. He jumps with great ease and seems capable of adapting to different situations. A trip abroad could be considered for both our horses, but first we are going to enjoy this special day. We had built their entire campaigns around this target, and we will take our time before deciding what comes next.
As for Teen Spirit, he is stepping up in class and continues to rise to the occasion.”
François Pamart, co-trainer of Mélisse du Mathan (3rd), based at the Royan-La Palmyre training centre (Charente-Maritime)
“Mélisse du Mathan ran a very good race. Métronomique is a superstar, there is nothing more to say. Our filly made two or three minor jumping errors, and in ground like this, you simply cannot afford to make mistakes. She finished a very creditable third, which is an excellent performance. Her season is now over. She has been sold to an Irish owner and will be heading to Ireland.”