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AINTREE FESTIVAL : from FR and AQPS breeding to great champions
French breds shone over Aintree’s Grand National Meetings last week, with the world’s most famous race going to the AQPS Neptune Collonges ((AQPS)Dom Alco).
AQPS Winners
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Date
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Course
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Cheval
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Pl.
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Disc.
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Eleveurs
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13-4-2012
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John Smith's Mildmay Novices' Chase
Grade 2
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Silviniaco Conti
(Dom Alco)
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1er
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Novices 5ans+ Steeple 5.000m
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Patrick Joubert
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14-4-2012
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John Smith's Maghull Novices' Chase
Grade 1
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Sprinter Sacre
(Network)
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1er
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Novices 5ans+
Steeple 3.200m
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Christophe Masle
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14-4-2012
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John Smith's Handicap Chase (Listed Race)
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Saint Are
(Network)
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1er
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Stepple 5ans+
5.000
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Jacques Cyprès
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14-4-2012
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John Smith's Grand National Chase (Hand) Grade 3
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Neptune Collonges
(Dom Alco)
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1er
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Steeple 7ans+
7.200m
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GAEC Delorme Frères
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Three years after Mon Môme’s ((AQPS)Passing Sale) victory, it was the turn of another “French chaser” to take the Grade 3 event after recording a last gasp victory over Sunnyhillboy (Old Vic) by a nose. Seabass (Turtle Island) finished five lengths back in third.
The winner of two Grade 1 chases at Punchestown for Paul Nicholls, Neptune Collonges gave the Champion Trainer his first victory in the event under Daryl Jacob. He had recently finished second in the Grand National Trial at Haydock for owner John Hales.
"This is probably the best horse we've run in the race. If it hadn't been for Denman and Kauto Star he'd have probably won a Gold Cup. He deserves to win a fantastic race because he has been a brilliant, consistent horse," Nicholls said afterwards.
Now 11, Neptune Collonges has been retired. He started his career with Jacques Ortet at Pau, winning every one of his completed races over chases. Bred by GAEC Delorme Frères in the Saône-et-Loire region, the gelding competed at the AQPS Show at Decizes as a foal in 2001.
Once again, these competitions have underlined their reputation as a source of top quality horses. Unbeaten over fences, Sprinter Sacré ((AQPS)Network) won Champion Foal at the same event in 2006.
On the same card, Nicky Henderson’s charge demolished his rivals to take a second Grade 1 victory over fences in the Maghull Novices’ Steeple-Chase with consummate ease by 13 lengths...
Henderson said afterwards, "He's been amazing all season. He is spectacular but it is a joy for the race to be over. He's growing up all the time. He can get stronger. He has an aura about him - he has the athleticism and the attitude."
Bred by Christophe Masle, Sprinter Sacré also was bred in the centre of France. His sire Network stands at Haras National de Cercy La Tour for a fee of €2,100 this season, and is also the sire of French National Hunt Horse of the Year, Rubi Ball (AQPS).
It was also a good day for Network, as his son Saint Are (AQPS) triumphed in the Listed John Smith’s Handicap Chase. The six year old, who won the Grade 1 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at the same track a year ago, was taking his first event since then. Trained by Tim Vaughan, Saint Are was yet another to have passed through an AQPS Show (Cercy La Tour) as a youngster. Presented as a two year old, the Jacques Cyprès bred gelding then went into training with Alain Couétil before being sold to his current connections in June 2010.
Other successful top class horses that have been shown at Decizes include Quevega (AQPS), Sous Les Cieux (AQPS), Sir des Champs (AQPS), and many more.
More and Pictures on
http://www.frbc.net/index.php?id=55&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=119&cHash=dfab0c1bbb99c2cc1e898e82a1e8f1aa
For winners comming from Decize Aqps Show!
Neptune Collonges Foal 2001 ,
Saint Are 2yo 2008
Sprinter Sacré Foal 2006.
Silviniaco Conti Foal 2006.
2012th AQPS Shows :
Mardi 28 août 2012 - Finale interrégionale de Decize
Mercredi 5 septembre - Finale interrégionale du Lion d'Angers |
News
L’Association AQPS, sous la Présidence d’Hervé d’Armaillé, a organisé sa traditionnelle remise des Trophées lors de la réunion d’Auteuil du Samedi 28 avril 2012, tribune Présidentielle.
