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

Mark Smith - Monday June 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.

Advertisement

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. 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Monday June 23
Here is the full list of 29 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Canterbury
There were a whopping 10 heats won by juveniles at the Canterbury trials on Monday morning that included some interesting unraced youngsters by Zoustar, Zousain and Trapeze Artist, plus a good looking youngster that may see the benefit of gelding.
Irish Oaks Possible for Royal Ascot Fairytale Filly
The biggest story in terms of our audience reads from Royal Ascot last week was by far and away the one on the Aussie owned underdog three year-old filly Cercene, who captured the Group I Coronation Stakes.
G1 Tatts Tiara – Where Are They Now?
The last Group I race of the Australian racing season, the $700,000 Tatts Tiara (1400m) will be run this Saturday and as a fillies and mares feature the winner is often headed straight to stud, so we’re taking a look at where these girls are at.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday June 24
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Capitalist 2YO Wins for Doyle
Nathan Doyle and his team would be bubbling with excitement surrounding the return of their unbeaten G1 star Private Harry, but as they say ‘little fish are sweet’ and the stable were in the winner’s circle at Wyong on Tuesday with a two year-old son of Capitalist.
One to Watch – Wyong
The juvenile maiden at Wyong on Tuesday had some interesting runners including the highest price yearling by Maurice (Jpn) sold in 2024 and he did take the win, but it was not without drama.
One to Watch – Scone
Kris Lees often sends a talented horse to the country to cast off maiden status and a two year-old Exceedance gelding did just that on debut at Scone on Monday.
Storm Boy Retired to Coolmore Australia
An utterly dominant winner of the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, the hugely exciting son of the international sire sensation Justify is set to join the Coolmore Australia roster in 2025.
Ardrossan Supporters Rewarded with Taken
The emergence of the Victorian-based Taken is another winning story for a New Zealand breeding and ownership group established to support the three-year-old’s young sire.