ENGLISH TEXTS
Seror did not merely run horses for the sake of numbers; he targeted races effectively and secured results. This was evident on the final day, 4 January. Although he had already secured the trainers’ title, he fielded a reshuffled team for the occasion. They responded admirably: Djin’ s finished second in the Listed Grande Course de Haies de Cagnes, and Icare du Seuil concluded an excellent campaign by recording a third consecutive victory in the Gr. 3 Grand Prix de la Ville de Nice – Bernard Sécly. Seror’ s winter success extended beyond Cagnes. At Pau, his cross-country star Ici Avrilly carried the stable’ s colours with distinction. The eight-year-old mare had previously won a handicap under the legendary amateur rider Florent Guy before heading south for two cross-country starts to conclude her 2025 winter campaign. She finished third behind two leading specialists, Hip Hop Conti and Saint Godefroy. In many circumstances, connections might have opted against tackling the very best in the discipline. Instead, Seror allowed her to take her chance. Ridden positively by Baptiste Le Clerc, Ici Avrilly made the running and looked set to prevail before being caught in the final strides by the veteran Saint Godefroy— a narrow defeat that won admiration despite the result.
Other Highlights at Cagnes Mathieu Pitart also enjoyed significant success at Cagnes-sur-Mer. He captured the Listed hurdle for four-year-olds with Isaac of York, a son of Ivanhowe making only his third career start. His former stable star Blekolina returned to winning form at seven years of age, defeating Djin’ s in the Grande Course de Haies. The final Listed event, the Prix Christian de l’ Hermite – Grand Steeple-Chase des 4 Ans, was won by Gemma Invicta for David Cottin and Johnny Charron.
The Emerging Generation The seaside track has long provided opportunities for emerging riders. Nicolas Gauffenic rode numerous winners there before establishing himself more prominently in Paris. Cagnes offers young jockeys the chance to refine their skills, dictate pace and help less experienced horses jump efficiently. On the championship day, two young riders stood out. Gaëtan Champier partnered Blekolina to victory for Mathieu Pitart, while Gauvain Faivre-Picon was aboard Icare du Seuil for Mickaël Seror. Champier delivered a well-judged ride, allowing his mount to produce her effort at the right moment and finish strongly. Faivre-Picon, who had been based with Gabriel Leenders after returning from a serious back injury, seized his opportunity with composure. His patient handling enabled Icare du Seuil to settle comfortably over 4,600 metres before producing a precise and determined finish alongside Clément Lefebvre. Both performances underlined the depth of emerging talent within the weighing room.
Pau Stories The meeting at Pau produced its own memorable moments. On 18 January, one of the highlights of the winter unfolded at the Pont-Long racecourse. The day began emphatically as Milleetunevictoire justified favouritism by winning by ten lengths on his steeplechase debut. For Emmanuel Clayeux, he appears the most exciting young prospect to emerge from the meeting with the spring in mind. Among the most striking performers was Callisto du Nord, trained by the fatherand-daughter partnership of Philippe and Camille Peltier. The four-year-old gelding won a Class 1 hurdle by two and a half lengths with authority, registering a fourth consecutive victory before following up in the Listed Grande Course de Haies des 4 Ans by an emphatic twenty lengths. Clearly suited by deep ground, he has earned a break but remains one to follow closely. That same 18 January also featured the 139 th edition of the Grande Course de Haies de Pau. Caf’ conc, trained by the young Océane Ellart, attempted to make all under Arthur Duvcaher and came close to causing a surprise. However, in the closing strides Lovely Guy, trained by Arnaud Chaillé-Chaillé and ridden by Charlotte Prichard,
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