Stephan de Freitas Barcha Takes the Chequered Flag in Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Monaco Thriller

Monaco. Maximum pressure. Maximum reward.

Mdmar – Monaco – LGCT

The streets of Monaco once again delivered edge-of-your-seat drama as Stephan de Freitas Barcha and the exceptional Dinozo Imperio Egipcio produced a performance worthy of the Principality’s biggest stage, capturing the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix du Prince de Monaco after a breathtaking jump-off under the lights.

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With the iconic Port Hercule providing a spectacular backdrop, nine of the world’s best combinations returned for a race against the clock where precision and bravery were separated by mere tenths of a second. As the pressure mounted with every ride, de Freitas Barcha held his nerve to stop the clock in a winning time of 35.40 seconds, sealing one of the most prestigious victories of the season.

Piergiorgio Bucci and Pallieter vd N.Ranch threw down the gauntlet from first draw in the jump-off, ultimately finishing runners-up after another superb double clear in 35.60 seconds, while Christian Ahlmann partnered Untouched LB to a composed faultless round in 36.18 seconds to complete a world-class podium in a Grand Prix where every stride and every hundredth of a second proved decisive.

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The 2026 Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix du Prince de Monaco, held under the patronage of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, once again showcased why Monaco remains one of the crown jewels of the championship. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Longines Global Champions Tour in the Principality, this landmark edition honoured two decades of world-class sport in one of the Tour’s most iconic destinations. Framed by superyachts, the Mediterranean skyline and packed grandstands, the electric atmosphere reflected the prestige of an event where global sporting stars like Paul Pogba, VIP guests and passionate fans gathered to witness the world’s best riders compete under the lights.

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An emotional Stephan de Freitas Barcha struggled to put into words what his first Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix victory meant, admitting there could have been no more fitting place to achieve the milestone than Monaco. “The last fence felt a long way away, but it’s incredible. This is my first five-star Grand Prix win, and to do it here in Monaco, such a historic and special place, means so much. I’m really emotional because I’m doing this for a lot of people. To win my first five-star Grand Prix here is something very, very special.”

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The victory also secured Barcha a coveted Golden Ticket to the Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix, and the Brazilian paid tribute to the horse that made it all possible while looking ahead to the season finale. “He’s unbelievable. He’s a fighter. He always wants to jump clear and do his best. He’s one of the really special ones, and I’m so lucky to have him. Now I’m qualified for Riyadh, which will be another very special Grand Prix for me. I’ll prepare as well as I can, and hopefully we can keep jumping like we did here in Monaco. The atmosphere, the crowd and the energy here are incredible – it gives you such a good feeling when you go into the ring and makes you want to do your very best.”

Fresh from his Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix victory in Mexico City earlier this season, Piergiorgio Bucci once again showed his jump-off prowess in Monaco, setting the early benchmark and ultimately securing a second podium finish of the 2026 championship campaign. Despite narrowly missing out on back-to-back victories, the Italian was proud of the round that kept the pressure firmly on the rest of the field. “I knew my time could be beaten because I wasn’t quite tight enough to the vertical after the combination, but the rest of the round was very fast. Stephan did an amazing jump-off and took a big risk to the last fence – that’s where he caught me. Going first is always tricky because you can’t react to what the others do, but I know my horse is naturally very quick. I just had to give him a nice, fast round.”

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Bucci also reflected on the unique atmosphere in Monaco, saying the support from the nearby Italian fans gave him an extra boost in one of the Tour’s most iconic venues. “The atmosphere was amazing. We’re very close to Italy, so there were a lot of Italian people cheering for me and I’m very thankful for that. When you know the crowd is on your side, it gives you an extra push. Monaco is such a special place, and I have to congratulate the Longines Global Champions Tour for being able to organise an event like this in such a unique location. We’re very honoured and very pleased to compete here.”

Longines Global Champions Tour Championship Standings 2026

After Stage 8 – Monaco

1    Abdel Saïd    167

2    Max Kühner    159

3    Edwina Tops-Alexander    138.67

4    Katrin Eckermann    138

5    Zoe Hank Conter    134.1

6    Simon Delestre    118.67

7    Michael Pender    117

8    Piergiorgio Bucci    112

9    Cian O’Connor    105

10    Thibeau Spits    100

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The spotlight shone brightly on Monaco as royalty, celebrities and equestrian enthusiasts assembled for the climax of the 2026 Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix du Prince de Monaco. Celebrating the event’s landmark 20th anniversary, the Principality once again provided a spectacular stage where glamour met elite sport, with packed grandstands witnessing world-class show jumping under the lights.

Forty of the world’s best combinations lined up, facing another masterclass from renowned course designer Uliano Vezzani. The Italian’s technical track demanded absolute precision from start to finish, with just nine riders answering every question to earn a coveted place in the jump-off.

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Round one was packed with drama from the outset. Rails fell throughout the course as Vezzani’s demanding questions caught out many of the championship’s biggest names. Several contenders finished on a single fence down, including championship leader Abdel Saïd, whose blistering time proved the fastest of all the four-faulters. Edwina Tops-Alexander looked destined to join the jump-off line-up before suffering the heartbreak of a rail at the final fence, ending an otherwise superb performance.

As twilight settled over Port Hercule, the Principality once again delivered an atmosphere unlike any other. Spectators packed the grandstands while superyachts lined the harbour, creating a spectacular backdrop for one of the Tour’s most prestigious nights. Following an unforgettable evening of world-class sport, Charlotte Casiraghi presented the coveted trophies, adding a fittingly regal conclusion to the landmark 20th edition of the Longines Global Champions Tour of Monaco.

How the jump-off played out:

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First to return to the Monaco arena, Piergiorgio Bucci laid down an early marker aboard Pallieter vd N.Ranch. With nothing to lose, the Italian attacked the shortened track from the outset, producing a superb double clear in 35.60 seconds. It was a fast, fluent round that immediately piled the pressure on the remaining eight combinations.

Next in was Henrik von Eckermann with Iliana, and the Swede looked every inch the favourite. Flying around the opening half of the course, he was 0.41 seconds quicker than Bucci at the intermediate split. But heartbreak came at the penultimate pink oxer, which crashed to the ground, leaving him to finish on four faults in 36.49 seconds.

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Belgium’s Thibault Philippaerts and Pittman vh Lilleveld were next to challenge. They came out with intent, clocking an incredible 0.56 seconds advantage at the split despite an early rail. Chasing every fraction of a second, another fence fell later in the round, leaving them to cross the line on eight faults in 35.21 seconds.

Then came the vastly experienced Christian Ahlmann aboard Untouched LB. The German chose precision over outright risk, sitting 0.26 seconds behind Bucci through the first half before maintaining a measured rhythm to the finish. His second clear of the night stopped the clock in 36.18 seconds, moving him into provisional second place with plenty still to come.

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Jessica Mendoza and Ascadina PP Z took a different approach. Rather than chasing the clock, Mendoza produced another composed, faultless performance, ensuring a valuable double clear. Their time of 42.82 seconds was never going to threaten the lead, but it guaranteed a strong finish on a demanding night.

LGCT Grand Prix of Shanghai winner Nicola Philippaerts entered the arena knowing he needed something special aboard Moya vd Bisschop. He delivered another immaculate clear but couldn’t quite match Bucci’s relentless pace, stopping the clock in 37.23 seconds to slot into fourth as the leaderboard continued to tighten.

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For Philipp Weishaupt and Chaquitos PS their challenge unravelled at the influential double combination. Opting not to continue after another mistake loomed, Weishaupt chose to retire, ending his bid for victory.

With only two riders remaining, Stephan de Freitas Barcha entered the arena aboard Dinozo Imperio Egipcio. Every stride counted as the Brazilian edged 0.20 seconds ahead of Bucci’s split time before producing a breathtaking clear to stop the clock in 35.40 seconds. The packed Monaco grandstands erupted as he moved into the lead, placing one hand on the coveted Monaco trophy – and securing, at least for now, a coveted ticket to the Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix.

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Last into the spotlight, French favourite Kevin Staut and Vida Loca Z had nothing to lose. Roared on by the crowd, Staut threw everything at the course and looked set to snatch victory as he crossed every timing beam ahead of the leader. But disaster struck at the very last fence, where the rail tumbled from the cups. Despite stopping the clock in the quickest time of 35.30 seconds, the four-fault score dropped him to sixth place, confirming Stephan de Freitas Barcha and Dinozo Imperio Egipcio as the champions of Monaco.

As the curtain falls on the landmark 20th edition in Monaco, the Longines Global Champions Tour now pauses for a short mid-season break before the championship resumes at Riesenbeck for Stage 9. With the title race finely balanced and the margins at the top continuing to shrink, every point will become increasingly valuable as the battle enters its decisive second half.

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The “Mdmar” website which was Founded by Khaled Makhlouf in 2007 for horse and equestrian races is keen to cover and follow all competitions related to horses, from show jumping, Horseracing, speed and endurance races, and purebred Arabian horse beauty shows, which belong to the Arab Gulf countries at home and abroad in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, and the Kingdom of Bahrain.