Fortuna galloper BEAU GESTE won his 2nd Hurdles race at just his 4th attempt, in stylish fashion at Te Aroha 5th September, providing his ownership group with a nice Father’s Day present. Backing up from a solid 4th placing on the flat in the Jumpers Highweight four days previously at Matamata, Beau Geste, ridden by 18-year-old apprentice Dean Parker, had only three rivals to contend with in this Open Hurdles event, but one of them was his well performed stablemate, Mizzena, who had won both of her previous two starts over Hurdles and was sent out a $1.50 favourite. It was the John Wheeler runner, Remarx, however, who set a solid tempo, getting out to a 10 length lead with a bit over a round to go – Parker set out to narrow the gap and gradually worked closer – on turning for home Remarx was about a length to the good of his rival, but Beau Geste was bridging the gap steadily, with Mizzena about three lengths back and under a bit of a ride. Jumping the last together, Remarx still held a slight edge, but Beau Geste would not be denied and got the better of his rival in the closing strides, winning by a long neck

Click HERE to see the race result and replay

Trainer, Kevin Myers, was pretty happy with his charge “he is going well this horse in his first season of jumping – he has taken everything we have thrown at him and has taken it all in his stride – he will be an even better jumper next season”

Fortuna Director, John Galvin, who was watching the race on Trackside TV from his Hamilton home, said “that was exciting to watch – he ran nicely at Riccarton in two Hurdles races (including the Grand National) for a 2nd and a 4th on a Heavy Track – the firmer track today suited him nicely I think – kudos to Kevin Myers, who has got this horse going great and thanks also to Dean Parker, who has now won twice on Beau Geste for us”

Beau Geste, who carries the stable name “Wolf”, boasts an impressive pedigree, with his Sire being the English Derby winner, Pour Moi and out of the mare Villa Wanda, this making him a three-quarter brother to the multiple group one winning Wall Street. 

Bred by Kevin Hickman, Beau Geste was selected by David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna at the 2016 Karaka Premier Yearling sale for $32,500 – he is raced by the Fortuna Beau Geste Syndicate an ownership group of 23 individuals. He has now won 5 races from 28 starts and $55,000 in prize money

Beau Geste was strapped by Caley Myers