A Plus Tard Explained

Horsename:	A Plus Tard
Sire:	Kapgarde
Dam:	Turboka
Damsire:	Kahyasi
Sex:	Gelding
Foaled:	6 February, 2014
Country:	France
Colour:	Bay
Breeder:	Mme Henri Devin
Owner:	Cheveley Park Stud
Trainer:	Henry De Bromhead
Record:	23:8,8,4
Earnings:	££957,124
Race:	Cheltenham Gold Cup (2022) Betfair Chase (2021) Savills Chase (2020) Paddy's Reward Club Chase (2019)

A Plus Tard (foaled 6 February 2014) is a retired French-bred thoroughbred racehorse who competed in National Hunt racing.

Career

A Plus Tard was bred in France by Mme Henri Devin and raced five times in the country in 2017 and 2018, never finishing outside of the top three. A Plus Tard won twice, at Saint-Brieuc and Auteuil.^[1] In May 2018, A Plus Tard was gelded and in October of that year the horse was sold privately to Cheveley Park Stud and moved to Henry De Bromhead in Ireland.^{[2] [3]}

A Plus Tard made his debut for the new owner and trainer combination at Gowran Park in November 2018, finishing second in a 2m4f chase. The following month, taking victory at Naas before finishing second in a Grade 3 at Punchestown. A Plus Tard had a first Cheltenham Festival victory in March 2019, winning the Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase.^[4] He would finish third in the Grade 1 Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase the following month at Punchestown.^{[5] [6]}

A Plus Tard won his first Grade 1 at Leopardstown in December 2019, in the Paddy's Rewards Club "Loyalty's Dead, Live For Rewards" Chase.^[7] A return to Cheltenham in March yielded third in the Ryanair Chase behind eventual winner, Min.^[8] In December 2020, A Plus Tard returned to Leopardstown and won the Grade 1 Savills Chase before making a Cheltenham Gold Cup debut finishing second behind Minella Indo.^{[9] [10]}

After a lengthy off-season break, A Plus Tard returned at Haydock in November winning the Betfair Chase.^[11] At Leopardstown, he was beaten second in the Savills Chase by Galvin.^[12] In March, A Plus Tard returned to Cheltenham and, ridden by Rachael Blackmore, won the Cheltenham Gold Cup by 15 lengths from Minella Indo.^[13] With no wins in his next four starts, his retirement was announced in January 2024.^[14]

External links

• https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/1817927/a-plus-tard/form – A Plus Tard Race Form

Notes and References

1. Web site: PRIX DES DIMANCHES AU GALOP - PRIX GENERAL DE ROUGEMONT HANDICAP HURDLE (Listed). Timeform. 8 September 2022.
2. Web site: PRIVATE PURCHASE A PLUS TARD WINS AT NAAS FOR CHEVELEY PARK STUD. Elliott Bloodstock Services. 8 September 2022.
3. Web site: how-gina-bryce-saved-the-day-in-the-purchase-of-gold-cup-hopeful-a-plus-tard. Racing Post. 8 September 2022.
4. Web site: Blackmore partners first festival winner in Close Brothers with A Plus Tard. Racing Post. 8 September 2022.
5. Web site: Runaway festival winner A Plus Tard to step up to three miles at Punchestown. Racing Post. 8 September 2022.
6. Web site: DELTA WORK DELIVERS AT PUNCHESTOWN. Timeform. 8 September 2022.
7. Web site: A PLUS TARD DOWNS CHACUN POUR SOI AT LEOPARDSTOWN. Timeform. 8 September 2022.
8. Web site: Min makes all to break Cheltenham Festival duck in Ryanair Chase. RTE. 8 September 2022.
9. Web site: A Plus Tard catches Kemboy in the final strides to land Savills Chase thriller. The Guardian. 8 September 2022.
10. Web site: Cheltenham Festival 2021: Minella Indo wins the Gold Cup – as it happened. The Guardian. 8 September 2022.
11. Web site: A Plus Tard made new Gold Cup favourite after 22-length Betfair Chase rout. Racing Post. 8 September 2022.
12. Web site: Savills Chase: Galvin beats A Plus Tard and Kemboy in Leopardstown thriller to throw open the Gold Cup market. Sky Sports. 8 September 2022.
13. Web site: Rachael Blackmore celebrates historic Gold Cup win on A Plus Tard. The Guardian. 8 September 2022.
14. Web site: Cheltenham Gold Cup winner A Plus Tard retired by Cheveley Park Stud. 18 January 2024. Racing Post.