Son Of Yeats Gains Grade 1 Glory By A Distance

Figuero (4g Yeats - Annaland, by Saint Des Saints) joined an illustrious honor roll when taking Sunday’s Grade 1 Prix Maurice Gillois, the premier four-year-old chase of the year in France.

Previously won by the likes of Long Run, the chase is run over two miles and six furlongs at Autueil, with Flute Des Champs ensuring a true test in the 2019 running by setting a decent pace. Angelo Zuliani rode Figuero towards the back of the field, asking him to quicken along the back straight and leapt into the lead at the third last. Staying on strongly, the Francois Nicolle-trained bay won by all of 30 lengths.

The Jacques Detre-owned winner was following up on a Grade 3 success over course and distance last time out and was gaining his third black-type success over fences. Bred by T Cypres, the son of Castlehyde Stud sire Yeats is the first foal out of the mare Annaland.