Power's Fleet-Footed Ponntos Dominates Prix du Gros-Chene

Mark Smith - Monday Jun 3

A 6-year-old son of Oaklands Stud stallion Power(IRE), the reigning Horse of the Year in Czech Republic, Ponntos, made his 2024 bow with a Listed win in Dubai and reeled off three consecutive stakes victory in Europe, culminating with a dominant performance in the Group II Prix du Gros-Chene (5f) on the Prix du Jockey Club undercard at Chantilly.

Ponntos in a class of his own (image Jour de Galop)

Nothing has come any closer than two and a half lengths to Ponntos since winning a Listed race at San Siro in April, followed by a second success in the Group III Prix de Saint-Georges at Longchamp in May.

Ridden by Mickael Barzalona for Miroslav Nieslanik, Ponntos was in a class of his own in the Prix du Gros-Chene, leading at every call to defeat the 4-year-old Zoustar mare Mgheera by two and a half lengths.

With his fifth stakes win, Ponntas advances his record to nine wins, three seconds, and three thirds from 37 starts with earnings of approx. $670,000.

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A bargain basement €2,200 Goffs weanling and €6,800 Tattersalls yearling, Ponntos is the best of three winners from as many to race for the winning Bahamian Bounty mare Blessing Box, a sister to Listed winner Bounty Box and stakes-placed Bahamian Box, and a half-sister to stakes-placed Vive Les Rouges (Acclamation), dam of Group II winner and Group 1 Haydock Sprint Cup third, Rohaan.

Group 1 Irish Two Thousand Guineas hero power (Oasis Dream) stands at Oaklands Stud in 2024 for $13,200. 

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