‘Oh là là’ ~ First runner back, first winner back!
Sun 24 May 2020
There was such excitement amongst ALL our owners yesterday, when we were able to have a runner again and MENSEN ERNST made it even more special by winning in France!
He was our last runner on March 14th, prior to racing being halted, when he placed 2nd in a Conditions race at Toulouse, over 2,000m. Yesterday, he lined up in the 'Classe 1' Prix Achille Fould Conditions race, at Bordeaux Le Bouscat. His trainer Jean-Claude Rouget was trying him over 2,400m (1m 4f) for the first time, so watching him bowl along nicely, we were all hoping that he could show the turn of foot over the extended distance, which he has so far put to good use at the finish.
He didn't disappoint and when asked to quicken by Jean-Bernard Eyquem, he pulled away nicely to win by 2.5 lengths. This was his fifth run in France and he has been 1st, 1st, 4th, 2nd and now a winner again! Having been purchased by our team at the Arqana Yearling Sale for €65,000, our 3yo son of Intello qualifies for 'French Owner Premiums.' So, from winning just over €18,000 yesterday, his race earnings have now passed his purchase price, which is always a nice milestone for a syndicate and they are all very proud of him, as was his syndicate manager Tim Palin!:
Many congratulations to his owners. Let's see where Jean-Claude wants to place him next. A step up in grade could well be on the cards...
Watch the race replay via France Galop here: http://www.france-galop.com/fr/cheval/STBqMDlvYVBKSm9jSXRnM0tjaEgvZz09 (If you register your name and email address on France Galop, you can watch French racing live!)
That's 16 winners on the board for this year now and we can't wait to get our string back racing again, when it's safe to do so for everyone.
We await the latest updates from the BHA about the planned resumption on June 1st. Our team of syndicate managers have been busy analysing the race programme that has been released and liasing with our trainers to plot potential campaigns for our horses. Particularly for the 2 year olds, waiting in the wings to be unleashed!
Keep up to date with the latest press releases here: https://www.britishhorseracing.com/news-media/press-releases/