Canadian Olympian Mario Deslauriers won the $35,700 New York Welcome Stakes CSI2*, presented by Douglas Elliman Real Estate, riding Amsterdam 27 on Friday, May 10, exactly one year after adding the horse to his string at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows running May 7-12 and May 14-19 at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY.
“Amsterdam came to us at this same show last year and was jumping in the 1.30m,” said Deslauriers of the nine-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Catoki x Acord II) he and Wishing Well Farm imported from Germany. “He moved up throughout the year and we won a grand prix together in Florida this winter. I’ve had some good horses, but this one is really fantastic.”
Deslauriers, 54, led the way with the first clear over Eric Hasbrouck’s (USA) track. Eleven more riders eventually joined the jump-off from a starting field of 41. Returning first, Deslauriers put Amsterdam 27’s ground-covering stride and foot speed to the test by crossing the timers double clear in 37.45 seconds over Israel’s Daniel Bluman riding Entano.