12 November 2023
Photo scoopdyga.com
Sunday, 12 November 2023, Auteuil Racecourse (Paris) – Not one of the nine challengers in the €580,000 Prix La Haye Jousselin Chase (Gr1), the autumn's "Grand Steeple", had previously won at this level. Gran Diose (Planteur), already the victor of the Grand Prix de Compiègne Chase (Gr2), had been carefully prepared for this race and was, therefore, the favourite. He took the lead from the start and kept going despite a few mistakes, notably at the rail-ditch-and-fence, and he seldom eased up on the jumps, often leaping too boldly. Despite this, he maintained a significant lead into the final turn. Following the falls of Rosa Kleb (Triple Threat) at the main open ditch, then Ho La La Forez (Saddler Maker) and Blackfield (Great Pretender) one lap later at the "rail-ditch", the field had dwindled, leaving only Grandeur Nature (Lord du Sud) and Grand Oncle (Saddler Maker) in with a chance of catching the runaway leader.
Having not raced for 218 days, Grandeur Nature impressively made up ground to overtake a weary Gran Diose in the run-in. Bred by Haras de Saint-Voir with Mrs. Bernard-Maurice Gouin, the 7yo grey gelding ultimately triumphed by more than three lengths, with Grand Oncle putting in a commendable performance to take third place, ten lengths behind.
Runner-up in the 2021 La Haye Jousselin Chase (Gr1) and victorious in the Robert de Clermont-Tonnerre Chase (Gr3) on his return last Spring before taking 3rd in the Murat Chase (Gr2) in his previous appearance, Grandeur Nature is trained by Arnaud Chaillé-Chaillé. He was contesting his 22nd race and notched up his sixth win...
Grandeur Nature's dam, Radio Saint Voir (Robin des Champs), triumphed on her debut over the hurdles at Langon, racing under the colours of her trainer Jacques Ortet. She was also bred by Haras de Saint-Voir and Mrs. Gouin, much like her son. She is the dam of C’Est Le Bouquet (Coastal Path), a Montgomery Handicap Chase (Gr3) winner. Grandeur Nature's sister and C’est le Bouquet's sibling, En Cadeau (Coastal Path), was bought for €32,000 by Paul de Chevigny in foal to Karaktar in November 2021 at Deauville.
What they said...
Gaetan Masure (Jockey to Grandeur Nature, 1st) – France
"I tried not to let him quicken too early. It is the last to attack who wins when running on heavy ground. He ran efficiently throughout the whole race on arduous ground. I was riding him, hoping to achieve second place, but when we closed in on Gran Diose, I knew we would win!"
Nicolas de Lageneste (owner and joint breeder of Grandeur Nature, 1st) - France
"The fact that he made this return, it was a test. But Arnaud Chaillé-Chaillé worked wonders. A true son of Lord du Sud, the difficult ground suited him. His jockey calculated it so precisely and with confidence. To defeat a great horse like Gran Diose is not easy. We dream of the Grand Steeple Chase de Paris in 2024. We thought about retirement a few months ago: it is with great satisfaction that we find a win again today, thanks to the exceptional work of Arnaud Chaillé-Chaillé."
James Reveley (jockey to Gran Diose, 2nd) - France
"I have a few regrets, of course. Gran Diose is special and loves to lead, always wanting to have a company behind. At the front, I tried to ride as slowly as possible, but we were under pressure. I, therefore, wanted to let him accelerate. But he was tired at the end. Grandeur Nature was the horse to beat, after all."
Louisa Carberry (trainer of Gran Diose, 2nd) - France
“We will not be upset about coming second to this great winner in a Group 1 race. Congratulations to the winning team. Our horse did not start as well as normal, which ultimately cost him."