Appearing placid on a daily basis, Dominique Bressou did not hide his immense emotion at having won the Grand Prix de Pau (Gr.3) for the first time with Gage de Réussite, ridden by the young star jockey Gabin Meunier.
He's a goldsmith. Former obstacle jockey with Jehan Bertran de Balanda in Maisons-Laffitte, then installed as a trainer and taken to the highest level since his move to Dragey, Dominique Bressou is an exceptional fitter who has already experienced the greatest successes at Auteuil with Milord Thomas, Galop Marin, Losange Bleu, etc… But if he has already won the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris, Dominique Bressou is not jaded for a penny, evidenced by his tremendous emotion after his victory in the Grand Prix de Pau.
The Triumph of Guarantee of Success in front of the 120,000 spectators of the 138th Grand Prix de Pau.
“A big steeplechase is huge!” Born in the south-west, Dominique Bressou did not experience local races in his youth but remains very attached to his native region. He even had difficulty expressing himself directly after the victory in the Grand Prix de Pau, sincerely on the verge of tears. As a fine technician, he also highlighted the exceptional performance of his young jockey Gabin Meunier.
Indeed, at only 21 years old, Gabin Meunier demonstrates extraordinary mastery combined with remarkable humility. “It’s the horses that do everything, I don’t do anything.” This is obviously false! Indeed, Gabin Meunier was forgotten throughout the course until he came out of his box like hell at the entrance to the line to dominate Jumping Charly who seemed for a moment on his way to glory. In Love and YouTwo Glass, who formed the pair last year, were unable to repeat this year. In Love never entered the race. Youtwo Glass, also winner in 2023, gave in after leading.
Dominique Bressou putting Gabin Meunier in the saddle on Pledge of Success.
While this Grand Prix took place in a very festive atmosphere in front of stands filled with more than 12,000 spectators, only one person was missing: the owner Paul Couderc. He who is nevertheless not stingy with the kilometers, the man from Aurillac was blocked from home by a little flu but is restarting a 2025 season as thunderous as the year 2024 was for his jacket. As is often the case, he is associated here with his long-time friend Patrick Joubert, himself an individual winner of the Grande Courses de Haies de Pau with Ital Conti just after.
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Aged 9, Gage de Réussite was co-bred by Jacques Cyprès, the famous Nièvre breeder with Pierre and Philippe Thiriet, the director of the Haras de Cercy. Son of the great stallion Network, he is among the latter's last generations at Cercy, before his purchase by the Papot family in the Deauville ring, and his end of career at Haras d'Enki. His mother Joly Nelsa (Brier Creek) had achieved a rich and long career of 9 victories, alternating the flat and the obstacle under the helmet of Emile Krief and the training of Maxime Césandri, including 2 Listeds at Auteuil and Enghien.
Wilfrid Lajon, Ophélie Delaunay, Jérôme Delaunay and Wilfried Denuault, in the circle before 2nd place in Jumping Charlie.
Although having raced 49 times up to 7 years old, she produced well with not only Gage de Réussite but also Just Nelsa, 3rd in the Prix Antoine de Palaminy (Listed) in 2023. Gage de Réussite wins his marshal's baton here in as a consecration of a great career led so far in major handicaps and/or listed races. He also won a quinté in mid-January 2022 on the Pau steeplechase. 4th in the Grand Steeple de Compiègne (Gr.2) in November, Gage de Réussite had just finished 2nd, on December 31, in the Prix Bernard de Dufau, behind Inaya Jones, and ahead of Jumping Charlie and Le Listrac. This time, Inaya Jones was unable to repeat but her two pursuers finished again in her wake, in the same order.
Clément Lefebvre, 3rd with Le Listrac.
Prime Minister François Bayrou with Gabin Meunier, Dominique Bressou and Jean Biraben, sponsor of the Pau Grand Prix.
