FIGUERO

6-YEAR-OLD BAY GELDING

YEATS x ANNALAND (Saint Des Saints)

Trainer: Francois Nicolle

Breeder: Thierry Cypres

Owners: Jacques Detre, Thierry Cypres & Francois Nicolle

This son of Yeats has been operating at the highest level over obstacles in France. A winner of the Grade 1 Prix Maurice-Gillois as a 4-year-old, he matured into a top staying chaser in 2020, finishing 2nd in the Grand Steeple in October and 3rd in the Grade 1 Prix La Haye Jousselin at Auteuil in November on his latest start. His form ties in very closely with Docteur de Ballon, who won both of those races and Feu Follet, who filled the other places. Feu Follet has already stated his case for consideration in 2021, by winning the Grade 3 Prix Robert De Clermont-Tonnerre on 7th March. The form shown by these 3 horses would put them some way clear in the staying chase division and with another year of experience, Figuero should now be reaching his peak.

By Yeats, Coolmores multiple Ascot Gold Cup winner, who has a good record as a National Hunt Sire and Annaland, a broodmare by Saint Des Saints, who has also produced Gomeraland who has placed in Grade 3 company over hurdles, Figuero has a proper National Hunt pedigree. Francois Nicole has an embarrassment of riches for 2021 and last years Champion trainer has the opportunity to win the top level staying chases with Figuero.

In a recent stable tour, he told At The Races "Figuero will make his seasonal reappearance at the end of March. He looks good and will run in a couple of prep races before going to the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris. He is still a bit behind and seeing that we have the time, I’m not in a rush"