October 13, 2025 
It was the legendary mystery writer Agatha Christie who famously coined the phrase, “One coincidence is just a coincidence, two coincidences are a clue, three coincidences are a proof.”
Of course, Christie was talking about cracking the code of a successful detective novel. But the “proof” is equally compelling when it comes to Dutch rider Harrie Smolders’ ability to keep his horses fit, happy, and jumping at top form well into their teens.
The latest poster child for Smolders’ program? The indomitable Monaco, who, at age 16, just took home his third, 1.60m LGCT Grand Prix win of the season in Rome on Sunday, October 12.
The Holsteiner gelding follows in the footsteps of fellow Smolders mounts Emerald van’t Ruytershof and Don VHP Z; breeding stallions who both competed successfully as 14- and 15-year-olds, respectively, and retired to the breeding shed sound and (presumably) happy.
“Harrie’s horses Emerald and Don VHP Z were winning when they were in their teens; they competed for many seasons and finished their careers still in good condition,” Smolders’ former assistant rider, Simone Besutti, told Horse Network in 2022. “For me, that’s success.”
And Monaco may be the most successful example yet. According to Jumpr Stats, the gelding currently ties Caracole De La Rogue (USA) with four, 5*, 1.60m Grand Prix wins in the last 365 days. That’s the second-highest of any horse currently competing; only Greya and Kent Farrington, on six wins, have more.
But Monaco does lead the stats for 5* podium finishes—10—at the same height over the same time period. And in a career that’s spanned nearly a decade in the top sport, mostly under Smolders’ saddle, Monaco has maintained a 50% clear rate at 1.60m+, finishing in the top 10 61% of the time.
Last December, Monaco and Smolders earned their first, 5* 1.60m+ Grand Prix win in the coveted Rolex Grand Prix of Geneva. In less than a year, they’ve earned three more titles in LGCT Grands Prix in Cannes, Valkenswaard, and now, Rome. That’s double the number of 5* wins in the last 365 days that Monaco earned in his second-most successful seasons in 2021-2022.
In fact, after being a 5* “bridesmaid” for years, this season has been the most impressive of Monaco’s already long and distinguished career. His three victories in 2025 tie last year’s fleet of winningest 5* Grand Prix horses (think: Leone Jei, United Touch S, and Foxy De La Roque), who also pocketed a triplet of 5* wins.
“I must say, it is, actually, very special,” Smolders said of his victory last weekend at LGCT Rome. “Nine years ago, [I went with] Alessandro Mingoli on the Saturday morning to try Monaco when he was seven years old. And now, nine years after that, he wins here in Rome.”
A full circle moment of the best kind.
