Le French-bred of the day- Allaho
As Rachael Blackmore was steering the French-bred to victory today, Allaho became the 8th consecutive winner of the Ryanair Chase (Gr1). Now 7, the gelding was bred in the Sarthe, 2 hours West of Paris, by Eric Leffray (see below). He ran once in France for Guy Chérel and owner M L Bloodstock. He finished 2nd at Auteuil for his debut in the €60,000 Rohan Beginners’ Hurdle (L), won on that day by Melchief, recent winner of the €45,000 Jean Doumen Hurdle, also at Auteuil.
It was three years ago. Since his purchase by Cheveley Park Stud, Allaho joined Willie Mullins’ yard and hardly ever put a foot wrong: he finished in the top three of all his 11 races in Ireland and Britain but one. It was his first win in a Grade 1, for his 3rd trip to Prestbury Park. First, he finished 3rd in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle over 3 miles, then 3rd again last year in the RAS Novices’ Chase over an extended 3-miler.
Maybe this shorter distance is where Allaho has become the best.