Il Est Francais - sparkling return to action
Il Est Francais - will undergo checks

Il Est Francais to undergo tests after Sunday defeat


Il Est Francais will head to one of France’s leading veterinary clinics in a search for answers after being pulled up in the Prix la Haye Jousselin at Auteuil on Sunday.

So brilliant in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day, Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm’s Grade One winner began this season on a high when taking the Prix Richard et Robert Hennessy on debut and was well fancied to follow up at the weekend.

His run left connections scratching their heads, however, as he was pulled up by James Reveley five fences from home having started as the favourite, putting his participation in the King George back at Kempton in doubt.

Vets will now search for the cause of the problem, with George reporting that the horse was not lame after the race and his co-owner Nicolas de Lageneste suspecting a pulmonary haemorrhage.

A statement from Il Est Francais’ trainers on X on Monday said: “Physically all is well with Il Est Francais after being pulled up at Auteuil yesterday.

“We are sending him to the top veterinary clinic in France to have a full examination. As for the future plans, we will decide in due course.”

Download the Sporting Life App


More from Sporting Life

Safer gambling

We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.

Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.

Like what you've read?

Next Off

9 Runners, 5f 103y
Going: Fast
Surface: Allweather
1
(1)
Horse silk
J: William Pereyra
T: Jorge Caruso
2
(2)
Horse silk
J: Sergio Antonio Piliero
T: Jorge Perez
3
(3)
Horse silk
J: Unknown
T: Cesar Rivero
Follow & Track
Image of a horse race faded in a gold gradientYour favourite horses, jockeys and trainers with My Stable
Log in
Discover Sporting Life Plus benefits

Most Followed

Horse silk

Ardisia

F: -

T: H Palmer

Horse silk

Social Exclusion

F: -

T: James Owen

Horse silk

Hollywood Treasure

F: -

T: Raphael Freire

Horse silk

So Sassy

F: 564-

T: J R Fanshawe

Horse silk

Oriental Prince

F: 121811

T: J S Goldie