French sire Buck’s Boum, a son of Cadoudal out of Buck’s born and bred at Haras de Gouffern for Henri Poulat, was in the spotlight over the 2019 Cheltenham Festival thanks to his sons Duc des Genièvres and Al Boum Photo.

On the first day of the Festival, Duc des Genièvres got the ball rolling in brilliant fashion by recording a 13-length win in the Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase (Gr.1) under the colors of Sullivan Bloodstock Limited. The 6yo gelding is an AQPS horse bred by Colette Serre. Ridden by Paul Townend, Duc des Genièvres is in training with leading jump professional Willie Mullins.

A few days later, on the closing day of the Festival, this duo of horsemen shone again when winning the most prestigious race of the festival, the Cheltenham Gold Cup (Gr.1), with another son of Buck’s Boum. Bred by Emmanuel Clayeux and Jacky Rauch, the « FR » Al Boum Photo offered a first Gold Cup to Willie Mullins, beating two other French-bred horses, Anibal Fly and Bristol de Mai. This is the second Grade 1 win for Al Boum Photo, who won the Gold Cup Novice Chase (Gr.1) at Fairyhouse last spring.

A full brother to jump legend Big Buck’s, who was also born and raised at Haras de Gouffern, Buck’s Boum is one of the last direct sons of Cadoudal, with Saint des Saints. He is standing at Haras d’Enki, in Vendée, under the leadership of Christelle and Estève Rouchvarger. Since Cadoudal, no French stallion had produced any Cheltenham Gold Cup winner. Buck’s Boum is also the first French sire to have given both the winners of the Gold Cup and the Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase on the same year. It’s even more remarkable considering that Al Boum Photo belongs to his very first crop and that only another stallion have ever equaled this feat: the great Flemensfirth in 2008.

Congratulations to the connections of all the horses!