ENGLISH TEXTS
“ We’ ve been partners for thirty-five years,” says Cécile.“ Ian liked betting on horse racing and once came across a brochure from the French Breeders’ Federation praising the French system. Nicolas was still a trainer at the time, and Ian had often been lucky betting on his horses, so he chose to work with us.” The Kellitts name all the horses they breed with the Madamets. And so, when a pretty grey filly fell into the straw, she was given the name of a small Scottish town …“ She wasn’ t a big model, but she was our nicest foal that year,” recalls Cécile Madamet.“ She went through the ARQANA yearling ring, but there wasn’ t a single bid! So we kept her...” Placed in training with Yannick Fouin, Lossiemouth won with utter ease on her debut in the Prix Géographie at Auteuil- a ten-length victory- before being exported, with the success we all know.
ILS EN PARLENT
BACK TO ARTICLE
Romain Laffaiteur, Head lad at GAEC des Champs“ Galopin des Champs was the last thoroughbred to be born at GAEC des Champs, from a very modest background. When we pulled the foal’ s legs at birth, we were far from imagining he would become one of the best jumpers in England / Ireland! He is a horse who brings everyone along with him. Thanks to him, I got my first passport to go see him run at Cheltenham and took my first trips with my bosses. It is also thanks to him that we went to get his sister, who was at our neighbours’, to make her a broodmare and revive the breeding of jumpers at home, among the trotters. For three years now, three generations of gallopers from the same line as Galopin have been born, with the first one presented for sale this year. He is the one who restarted everything and he brings us into the racing news, which we follow carefully. We have been trotter breeders for 15 years and we have not had the chance to reach Group 1 level … Galopin did it twelve times! Everyone still talks to us about Galopin and we are very proud to have bred a horse of such quality.”
Louise Collet, co-breeder“ Breeding a horse like Footpad is an immense pride. He is a horse of exceptional quality, with great class and real courage. At the beginning, he was trained by my father, Robert Collet, who was able to reveal his potential very early. After his sale to Mr. Munir and Mr. Souede, he confirmed what we had sensed: he was built for the very highest level. He won Group 1 races in France as well as in England. Right from the start, we knew he would attract the Irish: he was a real jumper, stylish, with stamina and an outstanding mind. Seeing your horse go to Willie Mullins is truly every breeder’ s dream. He is a master craftsman, precise, patient, able to bring his horses to the top. Not all manage to acclimatise to racing across the Channel, which is very different from ours: it requires great mental and physical toughness, and Footpad had those qualities perfectly. I remained in contact with his work rider, who regularly sent me news. It was nice to keep an eye on him despite the change of yard and the distance. I will always remember our trip to Cheltenham in 2018, with my mother. Watching him win a Group 1 live, in the heart of that unique atmosphere, was unforgettable. An intense mix of stress, pride and emotion. That day, we lived one of those moments that make every breeder’ s heart beat. Footpad gave us a real dream come true.”
Pierre Rives, Breeder“ Quevega was a very easy filly to raise. We are a very small breeding operation with only two broodmares. She left for Mr. Biraben at 2 years old to take part in a breeding show in Decize. She was small but well made, and during her presentation she made a few joyful bucks which, I think, helped her receive a good mark for reactivity. Mr. Mullins had kindly spoken with me during the show and showed great humanity. She then started her career on the flat with Bertrand de Watrigant and proved to be very good at the end of her 3-year-old season. She then moved to Willie Mullins through Pierre Boulard. It almost didn’ t happen because of her small size, but I think he really liked her. Quevega started well at 4 and had the opportunity to run in France to accompany the champion Hurricane Fly at Auteuil, finishing 3 rd in the Prix Alain du Breil( Gr. 1), behind Hurricane Fly. A little anecdote: the owners had come over for the race and it was the owner herself who took care of hosing her down afterwards. I found that very representative of the spirit of the trainer and the involvement of the owners around the mare. Then she was injured at Auteuil
# 14 166