ParisTurf: What can we say about Kirikou des Mers who will compete in the “Grand Steeple-Chase des 4 ans” on Sunday in Auteuil?
Giada Menato: He is a horse who is only progressing. He is very tall physically, has gained a lot of strength and muscle mass recently and the last time at Auteuil (Prix Fezensac, class 2), he won very well. Since this success, he has continued to work. His last job was last week, on the steeplechase. It went very well and on Wednesday (Nov. 13), on the flat, he made a turf on the Aigles piste (in Gouvieux, 60) giving us complete satisfaction. This exercise wasn’t hard, it was just a matter of maintaining it before the race and it went well. He is very good, ready to race on Sunday. He’s in the deep end, but he’s on the upswing and last time, when he won, he wasn’t 100%. From now on, he is at the top of his abilities.
Your resident has learned a lot since his lackluster beginnings…
On his debut he was beaten by a long shot but he was extremely green. He was good in his physical preparation but it was on the mental level that he was too green. He panicked when he released the elastics, starting to pull a lot and as a result, he finished the race badly. His 2nd attempt, we decided to “sacrifice” it, by forcing him to be in last position, to make him finish. His straight line was very beautiful and the next time, he won on the day of the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris (Prix Ex Voto). Afterwards, in the Prix Questarabad (Gr. III, 6th), he was tired, suffering from the heat that day and not liking the light ground. Then, he made a nice comeback (Prix Jean Noiret, 5th) by starting on the steeplechase, to teach him. The next time he won. On Sunday, the favorites look very competitive but a race is still a race, and if we took a 4th or 5th place, that would be good.
How is your structure organized?
We look after around thirty horses in the stable. We are an almost exclusively female team. We are 6 women (mostly from the CSO) and a yard boy, and thanks to their skills and their very good work, we function well. Being surrounded by a good team is essential. Also, the fact of riding horses in each lot (there are 4 lots, between 6:30 a.m. and around 11:00 a.m.), is an advantage and allows me to be in contact with the horses, to see what is to see, if a horse coughs, or whatever… I see it right away. Or, if after a canter, we have worked him a little hard and he comes back to the stable tired, I see it, these are details which are important.
Over the years, your team has continued to grow in strength, hasn’t it?
I took my license in 2021 and at the beginning, I had very few horses that I picked up here and there. However, quickly, I had the chance to sell at a good price Atlantic Island to Willie Mullins (No. 1 trainer in Ireland), after his 3rd place at Auteuil at 4 years old. Also, I was able to sell him Hip Hop Davis at 4 years after his 2nd place on the flat at Senonnes and another (Golden Joy1is of the Claude Cohen Prize) to Gordon Elliott (Ireland). With this money, it allowed me to get started, to invest with the co-owners, then came Uncheckable who won group III and listed. He should resort to Auteuil before the end of the year. Also, currently, we are returning for around ten 2 years to ensure the renewal of the workforce.
