Edited press release from Longines Global Champions Tour

Under the patronage of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, the 9th leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour at Port Hercules in Monte Carlo, Monaco, concluded with a French victory in the CSI5* 1.60m Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix du Prince de Monaco.

As last to go in a jump-off between five horse-and-rider-combinations, current world number two Julien Epaillard (FRA) and his home-bred Donatello d'Auge (Jarnac x Hello Pierville) took their second LGCT Grand Prix win of the season when the clock stopped on 36.54 seconds. "This Grand Prix was a big aim for me," Epaillard said. "Maybe this is the best Grand Prix I’ve ever won, so we will enjoy it! Donatello is a special horse for us – I bred him with my wife Susana. He is ten and has now won three five-star Grand Prixs; it is very nice to breed a horse like him and celebrate this win together."

Harrie Smolders (NED) and Monaco N.O.P. (Cassini II x Contender) placed second, securing their Golden Ticket to the Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix in Prague later this year, while Greece's young talent Ioli Mytilineou collected her first-ever LGCT podium taking third place wth the lovely Levis de Muze (Elvis ter Putte x Tinka's Boy). 

"We were so close in Cannes, we had the fastest time, but the last fence down so I am so glad to now get the Golden Ticket," Smolders said. "Monaco N.O.P. was again outstanding today. I think Julien had the advantage to go last, I must say he did it very, very, slick, and I can only be very proud and grateful for my horse Monaco, he was brilliant again." 

Philippe Rozier (FRA) and Le Coultre de Muze (Presley Boy x Vigo d'Arsouilles) finished fourth, while Jeanne Sadran (FRA) and Unforgettable Damvil (San Patrignano Corrado x Papillon Rouge) finished fifth. 

Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) remains on top of the overall LGCT rankings for the 2023-season with 203 points. Christian Kukuk (GER) sits second on 180.2 points, while Malin Bayard-Johnsson (SWE) has slipped down to third on 160.14 points. Two-time LGCT champion Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) stays fourth on 148 points.