There would be few bigger fans of former shuttler Myboycharlie (FR) than Ciaron Maher who trained the triple Group 1 winner Jameka and along with David Eustace puts the polish on the French import Saunter Boy (FR).
Carrying the colours of Australian Bloodstock, the 10yo gelding entered the millionaire ranks when guided by Steven Pateman to a three-quarter length success over St Arnicca (Canford Cliffs) in Sunday’s Grand National Hurdle (4200m) at Sandown.
Carrying the steadier of 71kgs and conceding the runner-up 7kgs, Saunter Boy was on tired legs in the later stages as fans willed him home.
After failing to finish in the race twelve months ago, Saunter Boy has been near unbeatable over the hurdles since.
Pateman told racing.com he thought he had gone too early.
“I went early on him, he jumped the third last really well and I capitalized on that a bit, and he really wound up and it was a long way from home,” Pateman said.
“I thought, ‘I’ve put all my eggs in one basket here.’
“I’ve never ridden a horse that’s just so good at Sandown down the hill. I thought I was very lonely after the last, but he had a fight in him anyway. He was great today.
“Today was the grand final and we got it. You beauty!”
Well tried in Europe before initially finding a home with Kris Lees in Australia, the son of Myboycharlie (FR) advances his record to 15 wins, six seconds, and five thirds with earnings of $1,075,680.
Purchased by David Redvers for €120,000 at the 2014 Arqana August Yearling Sale, Saunter Boy went through the 2015 Arc Sale where Crispin De Moubray picked him up for €45,000.
Three years later he went through the Goffs London Sale where he was unsold when bidding stopped at €160,000.
Placed in all three starts at two in France for Mikel Delzangles, Saunter Boy proved a solid performer for David Menuisier and later Ian Williams.
He won races at Goodwood, Newmarket (x2), Doncaster (x2), and Compiegne, and was stakes-placed in France.
After making ten starts for Kris Lees without troubling the scorer, Saunter Boy found his niche in life over the hurdles for Maher and Eustice.
The 10yo veteran is a half-brother to the Listed Prix Jacques Laffitte winner Marathon Man, a rare European stakes winner for So You Think.
His dam Marie des Fleurs (Smart Strike is a half-sister to stakes-winner Anazone (Anabaa) out of the Verglas mare Ozone Bere whose nine wins included the Group III Gallorette Hcp.
