ENGLISH TEXTS meters from Pau, Patricia Lebocey thrilled in front of her television and duly cheered on the veteran of the yard, Saint Godefroy, 38 % owned by the Écurie des Dunes, of which she is the manager.
GALORAMA. From where did you follow Saint Godefroy’ s second victory in the Grand Cross de Pau?
Patricia Lebocey. Since it’ s complicated to be away from the stable for two days, I stayed at home, but my daughter Maud and I were each in our own corner. We really can’ t watch this kind of race together. We get ourselves into impossible states!
G. What was your mindset going into this major event?
P. L. Saint Godefroy is now 11 years old and we were afraid that shining in such races might be behind him. I saw him finishing third at best but, as a worthy son of Doctor Dino, he loves heavy ground. Before his first meeting race, the horse had an allergic reaction on a tendon after I bought a new clay. He was certainly lacking work that day, but it must have been a blessing in disguise. For the Grand Cross, he once again gave everything. He’ s truly a warrior. Thomas Beaurain rode him very well and I found the welcome back at the scales from Félix de Giles very classy.
G. How does Saint Godefroy handle the Dragey – Pau trips?
P. L. He has character and, with these 16-hour journeys over two days, he empties himself a bit. And since he’ s very intelligent, he senses in advance when he’ s about to leave. This year, we changed our habits to avoid that. Unlike previous editions, he didn’ t receive massage treatments, oxygen therapy or anything else, in order to surprise him. I felt like we hadn’ t done our job properly but, with this change of routine, he ate well until he got into the truck. When he loaded the day before the race, I thought it had been a long time since we had seen him looking so good and so round. In a few weeks, he will go out to pasture, much to the dismay of his companions, because he’ s the boss there too!
G. What are your duties within the stable?
P. L. I am the manager of the Écurie des Dunes and also a partner in Patrice’ s training company for several years now. Patrice and I started from nothing but, as we complement each other in our work, our divorce was handled intelligently fifteen years ago, thinking of our two daughters, Maud and Lisa. I can work with them every day and it’ s nice to see them daily. They are passionate and very committed, which is highly motivating. They don’ t take many holidays and such a victory does a world of good. The training side is not my responsibility but I’ m in the yard in the morning. I notably handle veterinary care and feed the horses in the afternoon. I keep an eye on everything( laughs). And in the afternoon, I devote myself to accounting.
G. Do you come from a horse background?
P. L. Not at all, but I have always been drawn to horses. I remember that, as a child, I would put on a scene to go to agricultural fairs in Mayenne with my father, a restaurateur who handled the catering for those days. I loved being around the horses and even dreamed of living on a ranch. I arrived in Sartilly when my father died, when I was 10. I don’ t live on a ranch after all, I work a lot, but I’ m passionate.
PATRICE QUINTON
“ FÉLIX HAD HIS SADDLE IN THE TRUNK!” Based at the family farm in Dragey( Manche), which he has gradually transformed over the years, Patrice Quinton has inscribed his name for the third time on the Grand Cross de Pau honors list, a discipline he particularly cherishes.
GALORAMA. How were you approaching this fifth Grand Cross de Pau for Saint Godefroy?
Patrice Quinton. Saint Godefroy hadn’ t had a hard time in his two prep races. Unlike other winters, he was on the upgrade and much calmer during transport. He had worked on the beach at Jullouville beforehand and was in magnificent condition. And the rain falling over Pau
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