Algan (horse)

In the 1993/1994 season Algan was ridden in by Adam Kondrat. He won a hurdle race at Auteuil Hippodrome on very soft ground on 9 October[3] and finished eighth behind Al Capone II when joint-favourite for the Prix Georges Courtois in December.

In September 1994, Algan won the Prix Richard et Robert Hennesy from his stable companion Val d'Alene who won the Racing Post Chase later that season.[4] After finishing fifth to the Doumen-trained Bog Frog in the Prix Carmarthen, Algan recorded his most important victory up to that time when beating Druval by half a length in the Grand Prix d'Automne hurdle over 4100 metres on 1 November.[5] When moved up in distance for the Prix Leon Olry-Roederer hurdle over 4800 metres three weeks later he finished third behind Druval and Royal Chance.

In December, Algan was sent to England to contest the 44th running of the King George VI Chase over three miles at Kempton Park Racecourse on Boxing Day. He started a 16/1 outsider and was regarded as the second string runner from the Doumen yard behind The Fellow who had won the race in 1991 and 1992.[6] The nine-runner field also included the 1993 winner Barton Bank who started favourite, Bradbury Star (twice winner of the Mackeson Gold Cup), Monsieur Le Cure (Sun Alliance Chase), Travado (Arkle Challenge Trophy) and Young Hustler (Sun Alliance Chase). Ridden by Philippe Chevalier, Algan was restrained at the back of the field in the early stages before making progress approaching the third last fence where The Fellow, who had been struggling for some time, was pulled up by Adam Kondrat. Barton Bank who had made most of the running, went well clear of the field at the second last as Algan continued his progress, moving into second approaching the final fence. At the last obstacle, Barton Bank, ten lengths clear of his opponents blundered badly, unseating his jockey Adrian Maguire[7] leaving Algan to win the race by two and a half lengths and a head from Monieur Le Cure and the Irish-trained outsider Second Schedual.[8]

In February, Algan returned to Britain for the Racing Post Chase and finished last of the five finishers behind Val d'Alene under top weight of 164 pounds. In March he contested the Britain's most prestigious steeplechase, the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival. He unseated Chevalier when making a bad mistake at the thirteenth fence in a race won by Master Oats.