A French win in The Thistledown Stakes

Frenchman Titouan Schumacher continued his sparkling Horse of the Year Show debut by winning the Thistledown Stakes at Birmingham’s Genting Arena. The Normandy-based rider finished second in Friday’s Grandstand Welcome Stakes behind Irishman Anthony Condon, but he went one better as he returned to action on 15-year-old mare Oceane de Nantuel.

Seven combinations made it through to the jump-off, including five British riders – Helen Tredwell, William Funnell, Mennell Watson, John Whitaker and Robert Whitaker – but Titouan proved almost half a second quicker than anyone else.

The 23-year-old clocked 34.83 seconds, and Helen got closest on Larksong, posting 35.21 seconds, with William and Billy McCain almost a further second behind. Titouan, who is based near top British rider Guy Williams in France, said: “It is my first time here. It is an amazing show, and I am really happy to be here. My horse is really fast that I won on today, and all the horses I have here are on really good form.”

Titouan has already won more than £5,000 in prize money less than halfway through the international programme, and his current form suggests he could be a serious contender for Sunday’s Leading Showjumper grand prix.

Ends

Image credit: 1^st Class images

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