23 January 2022
Photo scoopdyga.com
January 23, 2021, Pont-Long Racecourse (Pau). - Trainer François Nicolle and leading rider Bertrand Lestrade finally made the Grand Prix de Pau Biraben Foie Gras Chase (Gr3) their own as 7yo gelding Happy Monarch (Saint des Saints) led the last lap to score easily in the 135th renewal of the Pau classic. Bred by the Devin family, he had taken over the fading leader Lateranito (Martaline) at the stands' river and then kept himself out of reach for the AQPS mare Ferronnière (Network), a good second in front of Eddy de Balme (Cachet Noir), mostly outpaced.
Winner of theFleuret (Gr2) 4-year-olds Chase (Gr3), Ladies Choice (Turgeon)'s foal Happy Monarch is also a sibling of Lord du Mesnil (Saint des Saints), a <chasing Gr2 winner in Great Britain, where he was exported at 5 as a maiden over jumps.
According to the two first home's connections, both should show up again in the Robert de Clermont-Tonnerre Chase (Gr3) at Auteuil on February 28th.