After 3 places in as many outings over the Auteuil hurdles, Kivala du Berlais achieved a well-deserved first success in the Prix Georges de Talhouët-Roy (Gr.2). The resident of David Cottin offered a nice double to his father, Saint des Saints and his jockey, Gabin Meunier, after the success of Zaine in the Prix Magne (Gr.3).
Kivala du Berlais opens his prize list in the most beautiful way in the Prix Georges de Talhouët-Roy, under the saddle of the very fit Gabin Meunier © APRH
Two hours after the coronation of Zaine in the Prix Magne (Gr.3), the retired Holy of Holies (Cadoudal) and the young Gabin Meunier hit hard again in the Prix Georges de Talhouët-Roy thanks to Kivala du Berlaiswho opened his list brilliantly for his 4th attempt. The foal of Stéphane Szwarcof Haras du Berlais andAlain Benaroch hosted the event in the company of the favorite, Nietzsche Has (Zarak), who was unable to follow his acceleration in the final phase. Kivala du Berlais therefore went to the post alone to win by 2 and a half lengths in front Sane (Cokoriko), who finished well to deprive Nietzsche Has of 2nd place.
David Cottin registers his name for the first time on the race list as a trainer © APRH
Kivala du Berlais offers a first success in the event David Cottin as a coach. The latter had won it twice when he was a jockey, with Long Run (Cadoudal) en 2008 et Nikita du Berlais (Poliglote) in 2010. Kivala du Berlais started in April with a 2nd place in the Prix Wild Monarch, before finishing 3rd in the Prix Aguado (Gr.3). For his comeback, on September 19, he finished 2nd in the Prix Robert Lejeune (Gr.3) at 3/4 of a length from Djin’s (It’s Gino), who unfortunately fell early in the Georges de Talhouët-Roy. David Cottin believed strongly in heavy ground, and the colt proved him right by triumphing in a high-flying field. A good omen for the Prix Cambacérès (Gr.1), which nevertheless promises to be quite open!
Kivala du Berlais during its return to school © APRH
Bred by Jean-Marc Lucas, Kivala du Berlais is a son of the unpublished Kadika (Poliglote). He is his mother’s 2nd Group winner after Kalif du Berlais (Masked Marvel), winner of his first 3 races including the Adonis Juvenile Hurdle (Gr.2) at Kempton, but also 3rd in the Anniversary 4-YO Juvenile Hurdle (Gr.1). The broodmare is the sister of 2 black types including Kobruk (Saint des Saints), winner of the Prix Congress (Gr.2) and Orcada (Gr.3) and 2nd in the Prix Ferdinand Dufaure and Maurice Gillois (Grs.1). This is the great strain of the count Pierre de Montesson who gave among other things the cracks Cache (Carmarthen) et Kotkijet (Cadoudal), winners of 5 Grands Steeple-Chase de Paris (Gr.1) between them!
Kivala du Berlais is a brother of Kalif du Berlais, winner of Gr.2 and placed in Gr.1 in England © APRH
