19 February 2024
Photographs scoopdyga.com
The 2023-2024 winter meeting at Pau's Pont-Long racecourse concluded with the spectacular finale on Sunday, highlighted by Hip Hop Conti's victory in the €85,000 Grand Cross (L), a race he had also won the previous winter. Over the course of 26 meetings, 129 jump races took place, complemented by nearly 90 flat races on Pont-Long's all-weather track. Serving as a bridge between the two semesters at Auteuil, the Pau winter meeting has showcased jumpers who later succeeded at the top level, such as Rosario Baron's win in the latest Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris (Gr1) after claiming victories over hurdles and chasing at Pau three months prior.
The Papot family led the latest meeting as the top owners, with their sixteen representatives competing in 32 races (the highest participation) and securing eight wins for €237,820 in earnings. It was under their colours that Alcyone Rouge triumphed in last Sunday's Prix Gaston Phœbus, succeeding Rosario Baron in the record books. Trainer Daniela Mele ranked second among owners with four wins and €188,250 in earnings, followed by Patrick Joubert, who earned three victories for €165,210.
Guy Cherel topped the breeders' list with seven winning horses across six races, totalling €31,855 in breeders' premiums. Jacques Cyprès came in second with seven wins and €31,282 in premiums, notably thanks to Koriste, Sunday's Prix Antoine de Palaminy 4yo Chase (L) winner, contributing €12,072 in premiums alone for her Nièvre breeder. In third place among breeders was Nicolas de Lageneste's Haras de Saint-Voir, a constant presence on the French jumps scene.
Among trainers, Daniela Mele led with 43 horses, 100 runners, 17 wins, and €740,935 in earnings, significantly ahead of Emmanuel Clayeux (40 horses, 83 starts, ten wins, and €440,740), who saddled Hip Hop Conti in Sunday's Grand Cross (L). Philippe and Camille Peltier followed with €373,950, just ahead of François Nicolle's €371,125. Eight trainers accumulated between €180,000 and €380,000 in earnings this winter.
The 2023 top jump rider in France, Felix de Giles, won 14 races this winter at Pau, finishing the season ahead of Gabin Meunier (9 wins) and three jockeys tied with eight wins each: Thomas Beaurain, Bertrand Lestrade, and Clément Lefebvre.