Even as we head into November, the search for National Hunt talent continues in France and whilst most of the recruitment is completed for this year, it is still worth keeping an eye out for any late additions. I am particualry interested in any winners that are purchased at this time of year, as the fact that the horses do not have a novice status to protect often means that we are more likely to see them jumping a hurdle in the UK or Ireland shortly after they arrive. Lulamba fits nicely into that category. He won on debut at Auteuil in the Prix Isopani at the start of October and has since been sold to join Nicky Henderson in the UK. Although the form has yet to be tested, it was hard not to be impressed by both the manner of his victory and the winning time that he posted. Having won €24,840 in the process, his new connections will have little choice but to press on with his career in pattern races, but he shapes like a horse who will take this in his stride. Here is a brief summary of Lulamba.
LULAMBA
3YO AQPS Gelding
Nirvana du Berlais x Ejland (Vision D’Etat)
2nd Foal. Half-brother to Hurdle winner Kayo Coco (OR 129). Dam Listed placed 3-time hurdle winner.
Form: 1 €24,840 career earnings.
New Connections: Nicky Henderson, (Owner TBC)
Notes: 3YO AQPS Gelding. 1 start, 1 win for Arnaud Chaille-Chaille. Won the Prix Isopani at Auteuil at the start of October by 5-lengths, a 3-year-old hurdle specifically for AQPS breds. Sent off at odds of 8.9 PMU, Lulamba sat 4-lengths behind the early pace before coming on terms from the 3rd last. Worth noting that the first 3 home all raced towards the inside of the track in the back straight. Traveled strongly to the 2nd last where switched inside the tiring leader. Jumped last upsides when bumping the 2nd, shaken up and quickly asserted to win going away. Took 18.18s from the back of the last to the line, easily the fastest in the field. Final circuit time of 158.85s was the fastest on the card.
Bred to be a smart 3YO (both Dam and Half-Brother were 3YO hurdle winners), but knew his job on debut. Form has yet to be tested, though there were several AQPS Flat race winners in behind and the 4th placed Le Divin Enfant has also been exported (new connections not yet confirmed). Having won a race, connections have no option but to press on with his career, though having won over €20k, he will carry a penalty for this in the UK (Counts as a C1 win in the UK). Comes from Arnaud Chaille-Chaille who is in exceptional form and who has sent out 17 different Juvenile Hurdle winners so far in 2024.
*Wore Noseband
Key Races
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