Classic runner-up Patascoy joins Guillaume Macaire for potential jumps career

Patascoy has become one of the most highly rated Flat performers of recent years to have their sights switched to the jumps, as he has joined Guillaume Macaire from previous trainer Xavier Thomas-Demeaulte.

The four-year-old son of Wootton Bassett was a dual winner and Listed-placed in the French provinces at two but improved dramatically at three to finish a head second to subsequent Prix Jean Prat winner Intellogent in the Prix de Guiche and a half-length second to Study Of Man in the Prix du Jockey Club.

He also finished runner-up to Knight To Behold in the Prix Guillaume d'Ornano last year, but has been soundly beaten as favourite in both his starts in Listed company in 2019.

Patascoy's family members have previously run well over jumps, with half-brother Joropo – also owned by Roberto Cocheteux Tierno – being awarded an important hurdle race at Auteuil. Another half-brother, Daidaidai, was a multiple point-to-point winner in Britain for Wayne Russell.

His damsire Winged Love was, meanwhile, an important National Hunt stallion with progeny including the likes of Bostons Angel, Josses Hill and Twist Magic.

Indeed, it is thought that if Patascoy burnishes his profile in his new career, the still entire colt might be given a chance as a jumps sire.

A similar path was taken with the now in-demand Yorton Farm resident Blue Bresil, who also started life in the French provinces but developed into a leading three-year-old, finishing third in the Prix Noailles and Prix Hocquart. At four he was sent hurdling, when his biggest claim to fame was finishing within a length of Long Run when second to the future Cheltenham Gold Cup victor in a Grade 3 contest at Auteuil.

Patascoy was originally a €40,000 purchase by Thomas-Demeaulte at the Arqana V2 Yearling Sale in 2016.

THREE OTHER TOP-CLASS FLAT RUNNERS WHO WENT JUMPING

Percussionist

A Sadler's Wells brother to Group 1 winners Great Heavens, Nathaniel and Playful Act, he was a ten-length winner of the Lingfield Derby Trial and a close fourth to North Light on the big day at Epsom for John Gosden. He enjoyed further success on the Flat and over hurdles for Howard Johnson before being sold to America, where he won the country's Grand National.

Prospect Wells

Another well-bred son of Sadler's Wells – this one a three-parts brother to Arc heroine Solemia – he won the Prix Greffulhe and took second in the Grand Prix de Paris before also joining Howard Johnson. He went on to win the National Spirit Hurdle and finish runner-up in the Elite Hurdle.

Sir Erec

The son of Camelot was a close third to Stradivarius in the Long Distance Cup at Ascot for Aidan O'Brien last autumn before joining son Joseph for a hurdling programme. He established himself as one of the most exciting four-year-olds over jumps in years with an easy victory in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle in February but was sadly fatally injured on his next start in the Triumph Hurdle.

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