CRACK BALOU DELIVERS ANOTHER VICTORY FOR EMANUELE GAUDIANO IN TÉTOUAN – MOROCCO ROYAL TOUR 2025
Another great day of sport in Tétouan! Winner of the Prix de Dakhla, Italian rider Emanuele Gaudiano, partnered with his trusted Crack Balou, established himself as the standout competitor of the third day of competition. The first stage of the Morocco Royal Tour will reach its climax this Sunday with the highly anticipated Prix S.A.R. le Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan.
CSI4*-W (1,50m) – Prix de Dakhla
Under the spotlight of the Royal Guard, Emanuele Gaudiano, one of the fastest riders on the international circuit, delivered a flawless performance, outpacing a top-level international field over a challenging course designed by Cédric Longis.
“We planned a course that was quite big but accessible, especially at night, and in the end there were many clear rounds. It was a pleasant surprise: the horses jumped better than expected, and we saw some beautiful rounds. It bodes well for tomorrow,” commented the course designer.
Emanuele Gaudiano added: “I hadn’t won a class yet this week, despite two second-place finishes, so I was really looking forward to this victory. I have four very good horses for this Tour, and we try to preserve them as much as possible over these three weeks of competition. Today, I gave my best, and it paid off. With so many clear rounds in the first round, I took some risks in the jump-off, especially on the 2, and finished strong on the last fence. I will keep doing my best in the next stages, but first there’s the Grand Prix tomorrow. It’s always a real pleasure to be here. Of course, we are motivated by the world ranking, so we try to give our best at every stage.”
Ranked 48th in the world and with numerous victories at the Morocco Royal Tour, Emanuele Gaudiano confirms his status as a regular contender at the event.
French rider Alix Ragot, partnered with Gueule d’Amours and 3rd the previous day in the 1,50m qualifying class, finished a strong second. “It was a very enjoyable course to ride, like all of Cédric Longis tracks. The ground was excellent, and there were many riders in the jump-off. I tried to stay fast, but on the last fence, I preferred to ensure a clear round,” he said, confirming her consistency throughout the week.
The third place went to Abdulrahman Alrajhi and his horse Ventago, a pair who competed at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, finishing 13th in the individual show jumping competition.
CSI4*-W (1,45m) – Prix Tanger-Med
The Prix Tanger-Med provided a spectacular show in Tétouan. Victory went to Joe Whitaker, who produced the fastest round with Icaterina, already a winner a few weeks ago in the Grand Prix du Royal Lancashire Show.
“This is the first class I’ve won here. My mare was incredible today, very attentive and playful. The atmosphere was fantastic, the crowd so involved… these are the moments we ride for. I really felt it,” said the British rider, already victorious in several international Grand Prix classes.
French rider Alix Ragot secured an impressive second place with Gold Sky de Pégase, while experienced Italian rider Roberto Previtali, a regular on CSI podiums, completed the top three with Corembar Blue PS and also finished sixth with Quirinus 27.
CSI1* (1,35m) – Prix Maroc Vert
In the Prix Maroc Vert, Dutch rider Finn Boerekamp claimed victory with So Guilty, following a third-place finish in the first class of the day. Second place went to Mans Thijssen with Nouveau Noir Evo, and Swiss rider Thibaut Keller completed the podium with Sunshine ‘H’.
CSI1* (1,25m) – Prix Guergarat
The day began with a class dominated by local riders. Mohammed Nizar Souktani claimed victory with Genesis Z, ahead of Ghali Bougja with Con Tenor. Dutch rider Finn Boerekamp, partnered with Non Fictie, completed this international podium.
--ENDS--
Photo by MRT/Morgan Froment
RESULTS
CSI1* (1m25) - Prix Guergarat
1) Mohammed Nizar Souktani et Genesis Z
2) Ghali Bougja et Con Tenor
3) Finn Boerekamp et Non Fictie
CSI1* (1m35) - Prix Maroc Vert
1) Finn Boerekamp et So Guilty
2) Mans Thijssen et Nouveau Noir Evo
3) Thibaut Keller et Sunshine ‘H’
CSI4*-W (1m45) - Prix Tanger-Med
1) Joe Whitaker et Icaterina
2) Alix Ragot et Gold Sky de Pegase
3) Roberto Previtali et Corembar Blue Ps
CSI4*-W (1m50) - Prix de Dakhla
1) Emanuele Gaudiano et Crack Balou
2) Alix Ragot et Gueule d’Amours
3) Abdulrahman Alrajhi et Ventago