If the 2024 jumping season will have been marked by the exploits of Great Goddessauthor of a masterful double “Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris-Prix La Haye Jousselin”, the return to business of Rosario Baron is excellent news. More than sixteen months after his coronation, the protégé of Frédéric and Mauricette de Sousa made a winning comeback over hurdles, on the Mortemart hill, before losing to Zarakhan at the Putois. The machine is restarted. However, there is no question of skipping steps. “Rosario Baron had a small problem and it would have been nice to present it at the start of the Prix La Haye Jousselin (November 17), explains Daniela Mele. He came back to the stable too late and I didn’t have the time needed to prepare for this group I. He’s a fragile horse who gives everything on the track and I don’t want to ruin everything. The goal is the 2025 Grand Steeple-Chase.”
The expectations are clear and precise for this end of the season and the professional based in Gavray-sur-Sienne (Manche) does not hide her impatience. “I can’t wait to see him competing in steeplechase again. He worked well for this race. He is in good shape. It’s important, because the terrain at the end of the year in Auteuil is very demanding.”
“Rosario Baron worked well last Saturday, he is dashing”
Winner of his first race at the end of his 4 year old year, Rosario Baron continued with its first winter meeting in Pau, in 2022. “He continued to assert himself over time and his time in Pau, during the winter meetings, allowed him to toughen up. I love taking my horses there, especially the young ones. It’s a good school to attack Auteuil straight away. They gain experience and they become mechanized. As for the “oldies”, this meeting allows them to get back on track, to gain momentum and confidence. This was the case of Rosario Baronwho won the Prix Gaston Phoëbus.” The success of the son of Zambezi Sun in this consolation at the Grand Prix of Pau opened up perspectives for him, without knowing it. “Coming out of the meeting, I hadn’t necessarily considered presenting it in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris. I am a person who takes things step by step. I’m not the type to make plans on the fly and prepare programs well in advance. Everything can be turned upside down for one reason or another. He was in great shape when he returned to the stable and we decided to take advantage of it. I have learned one thing from my little experience as a trainer, and that is to continue to race horses when they are well. The opposite would be to put them back to rest too soon, considering that they had done what was expected of them. But, often, we have difficulty finding them.”
This is exactly what happened with his champion. “After his coronation in the Grand Steeple-Chase of Paris, he was granted a vacation, even though he was in full skin. So, he acted stupid in his box and got hurt, she continues before announcing the color: He did a good job last Saturday. He’s dashing. I am satisfied and serene. On Sunday, I expect good behavior from him in the Prix Georges Courtois. Whatever happens, he will stay this winter in the stable, at work and in the paddock. The objective being the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris 2025.”
“Pau is a meeting that is close to my heart”
Head of the list in the coaches category during the last two Pau meetings, Daniela Mele has always admitted her attachment to it. However, things will be different this year. “I will participate in the Pau meeting with significantly fewer horses stationed there due to a lack of staff. Besides the fact that this represents a significant additional cost, I cannot find enough staff to manage such a meeting. I placed advertisements and received no phone calls. It’s incredible. I rented a single yard, which represents sixteen horses on site, instead of around forty over the last two years. We are going to do a turnover with the horses. I plan to go back and forth between Gavray and Pau. We will continue to introduce starters over the winter. It’s a meeting that is close to my heart and I don’t plan to miss it for the moment.” Since her first participation in December 2019, 63% of the horses trained by the Swiss (239 out of 380) have taken an allocation, totaling 68 victories at the foot of the Pyrenees, including the Grand Prix de Pau with her favorite horse, Youtwo Glass.
“I am satisfied with my season”
Although the 2024 financial year is not completely finished, the objectives have been achieved for the titular trainer of 66 victories (in total), including 51 over jumps. “JI am satisfied with my season. The important thing is consistency in results, and if I continue to stay in the Top 10 coaches, I will be very happy.” [##span##]Despite a solid professional experience, the one who recently celebrated her 50th birthday continues to hope: “I dream of winning a great race at Auteuil with a young horse. This is not always easy to achieve, because when you have a promising jumper in your boxes, he is quickly courted by investors. It’s not easy to refuse certain offers. This makes it possible to sustain the activity, and continue: My pleasure is to get up in the morning and be with the horses. I feel close to them. I look forward to the day when I win a great race for 3 years old with a “homemade” horse. It will come. Besides, the 2 year olds are already at the stable, at work, and it is always with great pleasure that we discover them. This is the big unknown when they arrive. We promise a bright future to one, and it is ultimately the discreet little horse, hidden behind the others, who will become a crack horse. That’s what I find the most fun about our job.”[/##span##]
His other starters for Sunday:
“Village Singer takes part in the Prix Morgex, after having run well in group I, the Prix Maurice Gillois (Grand Steeple-Chase of 4 Years won by Kaadam). He lacked an additional preparatory race. He gained momentum in this race and I think he should do well. He is a good jumper, cut out for the steeplechase, and who should improve over time. I like it very much.n Kool Douce is a really nice mare. She remains on a great victory in Compiègne. We must follow it.”
