14th Feb – Mondoui’boy

There was a big “Oui” when asked the question, from our stunning French Bay Gelding in his emphatic win at Ascot on Valentines Day.

In the opening contest of the day, Mondoui’boy, proudly sponsored by Hine Solicitors, stormed to victory in the Novice Hurdle in emphatic style. Trained by Ben Pauling and ridden by Ben Jones, the win marked the first of a remarkable hat-trick on the day for the trainer and jockey, underlining the stable’s flying form and growing confidence.

Mondoui’boy travelled strongly, jumped with fluency, and moved clear in a manner that left little doubt about the authority of the performance. It was the kind of display that makes you believe in the future. After all, February is a month for bold gestures and memorable declarations and this boy has certainly said “Yes”.

For Hine Solicitors, the day carried even more reason to celebrate. With the race broadcast live on both ITV4 and Sky Racing, the victory delivered outstanding national coverage.

Seeing our silks carried so powerfully up the Ascot winning straight was reward enough; watching the replay again and again on television felt like an added Valentine’s gift.

As if the occasion needed another flourish, it was our Managing Partner Alison’s birthday, a detail that lent the whole afternoon a storybook quality. Winners are always special, but birthday winners have a feeling of destiny. The smiles and choruses of Happy Birthday in the winner’s enclosure said it all, this was one to remember.

And the story is only just beginning…

In what is already an extraordinary debut season for Hine Solicitors who sponsor the Hine Law Racing horses, there is now a very real prospect that Mondoui’boy could line up in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in the race that precedes the legendary Cheltenham Gold Cup. To even be considered a runner on that stage is an achievement; to do so after a performance like Saturday’s makes the dream feel tangible… It is clearly a “Yes” or should we say “Oui” from the horse himself. Mondoui’boy is one to watch out for in the future.