Saturday 1st August

In front of a packed Val Porée crowd, Swiss Olympic champion Steve Guerdat claimed victory in the prestigious Saur Derby at the Jumping International de Dinard. World No. 4 and three-time Olympic champion Ben Maher also shone with a standout performance in the Key Player Prize. This Sunday, the Rolex Grand Prix Ville de Dinard, a highlight of the prestigious Rolex Series, will bring the four spectacular days of the 2026 edition to a thrilling conclusion.

Three laps of honour, and he could have ridden three more! After a dramatic Saur Derby at the Jumping International de Dinard, Steve Guerdat and Easy Star de Talma finally celebrated a long-awaited victory in front of an ecstatic Val Porée crowd. Third to start among the fifteen combinations, the Swiss rider looked to have laid down the perfect marker with a fast, faultless round aboard his stallion, a proven Derby specialist with victories at La Baule (twice) and Falsterbo already to his name. Yet the suspense lasted until the very end. Fellow Swiss rider Martin Fuchs, fresh from victory in the Falsterbo Derby with Love de Vie, crossed the finish line almost two seconds quicker, only for a costly rail to deny him the win. The final challenge came from France's Nicolas Layec and Georgio Louvo Z, another partnership renowned for its Derby prowess after finishing runner-up in both Dinard and La Baule last year. Flying around the course and setting blistering split times, victory seemed within reach until the very last fence. A fault at the final oxer dashed their hopes, dropping them to fifth place despite finishing nearly five seconds faster than Guerdat.

"After jumping the last fence, I thought I had done enough," said Steve Guerdat. "But when I saw Nicolas's round, I was convinced he was going to win. I would have had no problem finishing second because he had been better than me. When he had the rail, I was truly relieved. Martin also produced a fantastic round. Starting third wasn't ideal at first, but perhaps it helped because I didn't overthink things and probably took a few more risks. I'm incredibly happy and relieved to finally add the Dinard Derby to my record. I've come close so many times, but something always got in the way. Today, things finally went my way. I absolutely love riding this class, and I'm convinced my horse loves it too. Galloping across a large grass arena, with its climbs and descents, is far more enjoyable for a horse than simply circling around in a sand arena. Easy Star was fantastic once again. He's always excelled in Derby competitions, and I enjoyed every single fence from start to finish."

One of only four faultless rounds in the class, Steve Guerdat succeeds Germany's Sophie Hinners and Munin as winner of the Saur Derby. In the final standings, the Swiss rider finished more than five seconds ahead of Spain's No. 1 Armando Trapote, who took second place with Caept' Hook after also finishing seventh aboard Karl P. "I had prepared two horses specifically for this Derby, working over banks, through water crossings and similar obstacles," explained Trapote. "It also helps keep the horses interested. I'm actually quite surprised because I would have expected Karl P. to be my best chance. I didn't imagine Caept' Hook would achieve this result because he'd only done one Derby before and was eliminated." Third place went to Mexico's Alberto Sanchez-Cozar aboard Giovani de Perhet, a Selle Français gelding bred in Brittany. Competing in his very first Derby and on grass for the first time the pair delivered an outstanding performance to complete the podium.

BEN MAHER CLAIMS THE KEY PLAYER PRIZE

Thirty-two combinations contested the Key Player Prize, Saturday's feature CSI5* class (1.50m against the clock). Riding the 15-year-old KWPN mare Ginger-Blue, three-time Olympic champion Ben Maher (individual gold in Tokyo 2021 and team gold in London 2012 and Paris 2024) once again delivered a flawless performance to take victory, finishing 0.85 seconds ahead of France's Julien Anquetin and Farah Tame, while Belgium's Gudrun Patteet completed the podium one second behind the winner.

"Ginger-Blue is an incredible mare with a wealth of experience now," said the World No. 4. "She's naturally very quick and extremely careful. It's my first time competing in Dinard, and this show is simply exceptional because of its tradition. The arena is very unique with its natural slopes, and the atmosphere created by all the spectators is fantastic."

CSI3* – FÉLIX JARRY CHARGES TO VICTORY IN THE RANGE ROVER PRIZE

In the Range Rover Prize (CSI3*, 1.45m), Félix Jarry produced the fastest round of the day with his 12-year-old mare Elgaura, the same horse that carried him to victory in the Dinard Derby in 2024.

"I'm so happy to win again with Elgaura," said the emotional rider from Maine-et-Loire. "It's simply magical. This mare belongs to the Savelli family, who have trusted us for two generations they were already supporting my father, Pierre, when he competed internationally. Elgaura is incredible. She's like my daughter pure love."

Jarry finished ahead of Julien Gonin and Cocolotti, while Belgium's Thibeau Spits and Rozelien Dwerse Hagen completed the podium.

The Lamotte Constructeur–Élevage d'Helby Grand Prix, the feature class for the CSI Young Horses (7-year-olds), was won by Christian Ahlmann aboard Toemme de Reggor Z. The German star posted the fastest time of the 14 jump-off qualifiers and one of eight double-clear rounds to secure victory ahead of Belgium's Grégory Wathelet with Justinien de Vains, while Gaetan Poidvin and Jamaica Tame rounded out the podium. Earlier in the day, the CSI1* classes crowned three winners: Alix Martin and Félix d'Argouges claimed the Institut Esthederm Prize (1.15m); South Africa's Holly Samantha Cox and Felini Longane won the Emeria Dinard Thalasso & Spa Prize (1.35m); American rider Samantha Higgins and Jalapeno C took top honours in the Hôtel Royal Émeraude Prize (1.25m).