He has just won the Prix La Haye Jousselin (Gr. I), which he won last year with
Docteur de Ballon
.
And in the locker room, it is with the legendary Jean-Michel Bazire that he talks about his race.
He is Bertrand Lestrade, as talented and more mature than ever.
“
Poly Grandchamp
is truly an incredible horse that lasts over time.
He had never won such a test before.
He rarely crossed the post as a winner but deserved such success.
"
This foolproof mind, Bertrand Lestrade admits that he has not always been blessed with it. Perfectionist, he confides: “I was one of the first to surround myself with trainers but it was especially for the physical. For the past six months, I have secured the services of a mental coach, and it is bearing fruit, in particular to put some disappointments into perspective that all jumping jockeys know, which I could not do before. "
At the end of a rebounding test (three falls and the injury of
Feu Follet
, one of the favorites), the palm thus returned to a regular needy.
These qualifiers, which may seem pejorative, Bertrand Lestrade confirms: “It is perhaps not the best in pure class but it never lets you down.
He manages to keep up with all the rhythms and put his heart on the track to win, because he never slacked off.
"
Seniors at the top
However, at the time of crossing the last hurdle, the game was far from won, because
Carriacou
looked threatening.
Dapper from the top of his 9 years, the resident of Isabelle Pacault has not succeeded in reassembling his contemporary, as what the "grandpas" do not only resist but put the cadets to reason because the excellent
Le Berry
, meanwhile, 5, finished more than seven lengths from the top two.
Minuet and Jouin at the zenith
William Menuet and Olivier Jouin won their first Group I at the Maurice Gillois Prize thanks to
Let me Love
.
Very moved, the Mayenne trainer had difficulty concealing his emotion after this success acquired by a short head: “It's wonderful to win such a race.
I feared
Sel Jem
which scared me all the way.
My filly has been taken care of and she will age well.
"
Just like Gwen Richard
Thirty minutes later, it was the turn of the jockey Gwen Richard to shine for the first time at the highest level, and this, from his first participation in a Group I. In the saddle on
Kyrov
for François Nicolle, he won very easily the Cambacérès Prize: “It's a childhood dream.
I had already won my first race at Auteuil with this 3-year-old gelding in the spring.
"
And trainer Luc Gabeur
The Sunday quinté in the temple of the obstacle highlighted Luc Gabeur.
Personal trainer since July of the Saga Stable, created in 2010, the 57-year-old professional won his first event thanks to
Pollexfen
who won an event of this kind for the first time for his second participation.
Based in La Teste-de-Buch (Gironde), he brings his score to five successes this year.
