Rome Adds a New Name to Its Roll of Legends

Casall ASK. Explosion W. H&M Indiana. King Edward. Monaco. And now, Wathnan Quaker Brimbelles Z.

The Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Rome has welcomed another outstanding partnership to its extraordinary roll of honour, with Abdel Saïd and his 11-year-old gelding writing the latest chapter in a story that stretches back more than a decade.

Ahead of this year’s event, the question was who would join them. On Sunday, Saïd delivered the answer.

With Wathnan Quaker Brimbelles Z, whom he has been riding since 2024, the Belgian produced a performance worthy of the names that came before him. Their winning round added a new partnership to Rome’s distinguished list and strengthened Saïd’s position at the top of the 2026 Championship.

READ THE FULL REPORT : ROME BELONGS TO ABDEL SAID AND WATHNAN QUAKER BRIMBELLES Z

Yet beyond the points and the podium, there is something special about winning in Rome. A look through its past champions reveals horses who have shaped the sport, alongside partnerships whose victories marked the beginning of something bigger.

It began in 2015 with Rolf-Göran Bengtsson and Casall ASK. An icon in competition and an enduring influence through his offspring, Casall set an exceptional standard as Rome’s first LGCT Grand Prix winner. A year later, Harrie Smolders and the unmistakable Don VHP Z added their names.

Rome has also made room for breakthroughs. Evelina Tovek and Castello claimed their first LGCT Grand Prix victory here in 2017, before Ben Maher and Explosion W made the city their own with back-to-back wins in 2018 and 2019.

When the Tour returned in 2021, two Rome events brought two memorable champions. Malin Baryard-Johnsson and H&M Indiana won the first, followed by Olivier Robert and Vangog du Mas Garnier at the second.

Christian Kukuk and Mumbai joined the roll of honour in 2022. In 2023, it was Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward, adding Rome to the remarkable record of one of the sport’s most celebrated partnerships.

Victor Bettendorf and Foxy de la Roque brought the excitement of a rising star in 2024. Then, in 2025, Smolders returned to the top of the podium with Monaco, nine years after his victory with Don VHP Z.

The names tell their own story. Established champions, emerging talent and horses whose achievements have earned them a lasting place in the sport’s memory.

Now Saïd and Wathnan Quaker Brimbelles Z stand alongside them. Their partnership is still building its own story, but Rome is already a significant part of it. At a new venue for 2026, they delivered the latest reminder of why this Grand Prix’s history makes such compelling viewing.

Watch bringing history to life, revisiting the horses, riders and defining performances that have made Rome a stage for greatness.