Richard Vogel Shines with Gangster Montdesir in Fidelity Investments Grand Prix
Richie Vogel & Gangster Montdesir. Photo ©Sportfot
Wellington, Fla. – February 7, 2026 — Three of the world’s top ten climbed atop the podium in the $500,000 Fidelity Investments® CSI5* Grand Prix, under the glimmer of Saturday Night Lights at Wellington International. Leading the way, World No. 6 Richard Vogel piloted up-and-coming mount Gangster Montdesir to win the first of four five-star events at the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).
Vogel showcased a new star in Gangster Montdesir, stopping the jump-off clock at 42.65 to take the victory by three-tenths of a second over British Olympic Champion Ben Maher aboard Enjeu de Grisien. At only 10 years old, Gangster Montdesir — the Selle Français owned by Karlswood Partners — is coming off a five-star grand prix win in Lyon last October and added a second on Saturday.
“It’s a very exciting addition to my string,” said Vogel of the Kannan x Cornet Obolensky stallion. “He arrived last September — so a new partnership — but right away I had a super feeling with him. He always wanted to do a good job from the very first show. I couldn’t wish for anything more than how he jumped tonight and how he was fighting for us.”
Of his winning jump-off round over 2024 Paris Olympic Games course designer Gregory Bodo’s (FRA) track, Vogel said, “I could stay on the gallop, and I think that’s what saved me; I didn’t have the tightest turns but kept the flow everywhere to stay in rhythm.”
Vogel, a German Olympian, has jumped four five-stars with Gangster Montdesir and has been clear in each one. “If you get such a talented horse stepping up so quickly, you always must find a balance — we want great nights like tonight, but we never want to over-face the horse. Right now, he feels highly motivated and very game. He’s green at this level, but we have high hopes for him,” said Vogel, whose groom Geraldine Baden was honored with the Double H Farm Grooms Award and $500 prize for her care and preparation of Gangster Montdesir.
Wellington International
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