ENGLISH TEXTS
Arabian racehorses. The latest arrival on the market, AKTEM, made a spectacular debut by selling the foal out of Nacree Al Maury by Al Mourtajez for € 410,000 to Pierre-Yves Julliard— a historic and world record. The enthusiasm for Purebred Arabian auctions benefits the entire sector, as 4 % of turnover is redistributed to the AFAC( French Association of the Arabian Racehorse) and thus, indirectly, to all stakeholders through the services provided to them.
Growing National Attractiveness The breeding of Purebred Arabians is also enjoying strong momentum, with the number of foalings in France slightly increasing and a 10 % rise in exported semen. However, the most striking indicator is the increase, since 2022, in the number of breeders by 13.5 %, alongside an almost 5 % rise in owners. Across the board, one point on which all stakeholders agree is the work carried out by the AFAC over many years. In four years, the number of horses in training has risen by more than 8 %. This growth is mainly linked to the increase in the number of three-year-olds in training: + 15 %. These horses begin their careers in France and, depending on their aptitude, either continue racing in the country or are exported to the Gulf states. The race program is funded as follows: 67.5 % through sponsorship, evidence of the strong interest generated by the breed,
25 % by France Galop and 7.5 % through owners’ contributions. This structure has ensured the maintenance and slight increase in the number of annual races for the breed(+ 7 %) over the past four years. Another sign of the sector’ s internationalization is the growing number of runners coming from abroad. European trainers, already accustomed to traveling, and especially those from the Gulf countries, no longer hesitate to compete in France. The reverse is equally true, with many French trainers traveling abroad to take part in international races and meetings.
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REVIEW OF THE PAU AND CAGNES MEETINGS
BY JACOB PRITCHARD-WEBB
In racing, we rarely look back. Yet, as in other sports, reviewing performances is essential to progress. With Auteuil having resumed earlier than usual this year, it is the right moment to reflect on the winter National Hunt meetings at Cagnes-sur- Mer and Pau.
During a race— particularly in our discipline— there is rarely time to glance behind, except perhaps to check how a horse has jumped. In other sports, analysis is constant. Six Nations rugby teams repeatedly review match footage, analysing tackles, scrums and line-outs, examining the reasons behind victory or defeat. Winter Olympic and Paralympic athletes scrutinise every detail of their performances in the same way. Jockeys, too, would benefit from reviewing each ride, analysing errors and assessing technique in tight finishes. But the racing calendar moves quickly, and once the winter is over, attention inevitably shifts forward. Now is the time to take stock of Cagnessur-Mer and Pau.
Ludovic Philipperon and Mickaël Seror Cagnes-sur-Mer delivered five weeks of large fields and strong competition— particularly if your name was Ludovic Philipperon or Mickaël Seror. The level of prize-money on offer, relative to the quality of horses, remains exceptional and explains why trainers send substantial strings south each winter. Add the Mediterranean climate, the sea and the atmosphere of the Côte d’ Azur, and it is easy to understand the meeting’ s appeal. Ludovic Philipperon rode 16 winners during the meeting— 15 of them for Mickaël Seror— setting a new record. It was a remarkable achievement, highlighted by a treble on 3 December before repeating the feat two weeks later on 17 December, notably aboard Kel Story and Icare du Seuil, both trained by Seror.
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