French Racing News

Docteur De Ballon set a new and unique record in the G1 Grand Steeplechase de Paris (6000m) on Sunday, producing a piece of history unlikely to be repeated. He recorded back-to-back Grand Steeplechase de Paris' seven months apart after the 2020 renewal was rescheduled to October due to COVID restrictions.  

In his usual style, Docteur de Ballon settled in last position behind early leader Le Berry. He was given a quiet ride by Bertrand Lestrade and gradually made progress throughout the race, turning for the home straight in fourth. Despite a messy jump at the second last, the double barrier, Docteur de Ballon responded to his jockey's urgings and came up alongside Carriacou over the final fence, accelerating away on the flat for a five and a half-length victory. Third, a further three and half lengths away, was Galleo Conti. This was a very similar performance to his effort in the 2020 Grand Steeplechase de Paris.  

It was a monumental day for female trainers in France, with Louisa Carberry and Isabelle Pacault (trainer of the second, Carriacou) standing on the podium. For jockey Bertrand Lestrade, it was a third Grand Steeplechase de Paris, following his 2013 victory on Bel la Vie and 2020 success on Docteur de Ballon.  

Docteur de Ballon is by Doctor Dino, a stallion establishing himself as a top National Hunt sire with Group One winners on both sides of the English Channel, including Sharjah (Matheson Hurdle (3200m), Leopardstown, Ireland), Le Bague Au Roi (Dr PJ Moriarty Chase (4200m), Leopardstown, Ireland), Master Dino (Prix Renaud du Vivier (3900m)) and Sceau Royal (Henry VIII Novices' Chase (3100m), Kempton Park, UK). The dam Nile Breeze has already produced three individual winners from four starters and is out of Phantom Breeze, who is becoming a notable dam-sire in this sphere. Further back in the dam-line is Neomeni E, a stalwart breeding name in French jumping – she is the grand-dam to an incredible forty individual Black Type winners, including renowned jumping stallions such as Nickname and No Risk At All.  

L'Autonomie blew her rivals away with a thirty-length romp in the G1 Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil (5100m) at Auteuil on Saturday. There is little doubt that L'Autonomie has been one of the most naturally gifted French hurdlers for the past few seasons, however she has not always been assured of putting it all together on the big stage. Until now. 

Always positioned to the fore by Angelo Zuliani the race was run at a good gallop with Galop Marin taking the field along. The Francois Nicolle-trained six-year-old mare looked comfortable in second. Zuliani made his move turning out of the back straight for the final time. 

All doubts about the mare's stamina were erased as she readily drew clear leaving high-class rivals motionless. Galop Marin paid for his early front running exertions and was passed by Paul's Saga as well as Gex, who completed the podium. 

L'Autonomie is a daughter of L'Automne who was picked up by Catherine Coiffier for €12,000 after her final start. The sire Blue Bresil was twice placed at group two level on the flat before going on to finish runner-up behind Long Run in the G3 Prix Jacques d'Indy (3600m) in 2009. He has produced a host of high-class horses including: Royal Pagaille, Mick Jazz, Blue Lord and Le Prezien.