Grand Cross de Lyon TNC #7: Estruval Drop, small in size but huge in class!
The National Cross Trophy – Haras de Lyon Genybet stopped over in Lyon this Sunday. The line-up for this 2022 edition of the Grand Cross was sumptuous, and saw Drop d’Estruval perform a demonstration with Kilian Dubourg in the saddle. If this son of Balko does not have the most impressive physique, he manages to establish himself as one of the best in his discipline in France, due to his professionalism and his great ability to accelerate.
The Lyon-Parilly racecourse can boast of being one of the most complete in France. Indeed we run there at the trot, on the flat and in the 3 disciplines of the obstacle, and this with races of Listed and Group. This Sunday June 26 was the day of one of the most anticipated meetings on the Lyon calendar, because the scene of the Grand Prix de Lyon (L.) on the flat, and 3 Listed races over obstacles, the Grande Course de Haies, the Grand Steeple and the Grand Cross. This last race was the seventh stage of the National Cross Trophy – Haras du Lion Genybet. They were 10 to present themselves at the start of the 5200 meters, after the fixed price of Baba’s Stone. This 2022 edition, which promised to be very attractive beforehand, due to the presence of a number of leaders in the discipline, has kept all its promises.
Before the race, when we went to place the famous GoPros on the helmets of Baptist Leclerc and Kilian Dubourgthe two jockeys of the representatives ” Macarius/Lageneste », the latter announced to us that they were going to take the lead and set the pace, the tone was set. From the height of its 13 years, Estruval Volcano immediately seized command, taking his comrade Estruval drop in its wake. Difficulties followed for these experienced horses, and 1500 meters from the goal, Clement Lefebvre the partner of lucky net love took the lead and very clearly hardened the pace. Coasting around the final turn, Drop d’Estruval came out on his own to jump the final hurdle and nursed in his signature style remarkably stretched out to win the 13the victory of his career in 28 attempts.
” It’s a machine! This horse is a real lesson in life, he is very small but he is hardworking, he has been at work since he was two and a half years old and he is still there, and he is still the best. » these were the words to our microphone from a very happy and proud Kilian Dubourg of his horse’s performance. And what does this son of Balko has shown consistency and versatility throughout his career. Third for his debut on the flat at the age of 3, this AQPS then won several times over hurdles and steeples, before being redirected to cross country at the age of 5. In this discipline, Drop d’Estruval has so far achieved an impressive career, winning no less than 9 successes (including 3 on TNC stages) and 3 places in 13 outings, his only poor performance being a crash at Vichy.
The fall, Kilian Dubourg knew how to avoid it today. Previously, he had climbed 3 times on the Lyon cross-country course, for 3 falls! The Indian sign is now defeated and the very effective jockey wins another important victory for his bosses Guillaume Macaire and Hector de Lageneste. For many years, Guillaume Macaire has trained excellent cross-country horses, especially for one of his loyal owners, Bernard Le Gentil. Estruval seedDrop’s sister also won the discipline twice at the end of 2021, just like their grandmother Aluette. It should be noted that Drop d’Estruval is the cousin of a certain Alex de Larredya, double winner of the Grand Prix d’Automne (Gr.1). With this impressive success, Drop d’Estruval becomes a very serious candidate for the coronation in this TNC 2022, and could be seen again on August 15 during the Pompadour stage, the preserve of his coach for many years.