Karl Phillipe (Fr)

Karl Philippe is just the type of horse we were looking for when we set up Provence Racing – a French-bred with a high level of British form but in need of a new challenge.

These kind of horses do not become available very often so we were delighted when we were able to add him to the Provence Racing team. He has not disappointed. After finishing third at Lyon-Parilly on his debut for us, he was far from disgraced in a hot Auteuil contest won by Willie Mullins’ smart chaser Saint Sam.

Following those promising efforts, he was spot on for a return to Lyon-Parilly and he didn’t let us down with victory in the Prix Mont Blanc – a race we won with Éclair D’Ainay 12 months earlier.

He is a strong galloper and versatile, as he handles most ground and can switch between fences and hurdles. An enthusiastic horse, who always tries his best, he prefers to be out in front leading the way - just the way we like.