ENGLISH TEXTS
ed Jean-Paul Monthulé, now retired. Like Francis, Romain is a hard worker, and they complement each other well. There’ s a great deal of mutual respect within the team, and I’ m very grateful for that. It’ s important to empower and value staff. Training young people and welcoming foreign workers also brings a new dynamic. Everyone becomes more supportive and ready to help newcomers.
G. What’ s your role in the stable?
L-J. G. Everything runs smoothly— they don’ t really need me, to be honest( laughs)! I help with English communication with owners and manage international travel, among other things. I contribute however I can, with my experience and knowledge.
G. While the stable was thriving, Francis changed his training methods in recent years. Why take that risk?
L-J. G. Francis reassesses every year and does a full review. He analyzes every part of the stable: suppliers, workload management, how he enters races, his training schedules. He really felt he needed a change. After some trips abroad, particularly a day at Ballydoyle with Aidan O’ Brien, he adopted the Anglo-Saxon method three years ago— two daily canters, shorter and more interval-based. Right away, he saw a drop in vet bills and was pleased with how the horses ran. He’ s very happy with the results, and this method lets him observe the horses more often, which helps a lot. He’ s incredibly observant— which is even more impressive since he didn’ t grow up around horses. But once he started working with them at 18 or 19, he quickly became a real horseman.
G. What do you mean by that?
L-J. G. He understands their personalities and knows how to spot a horse in good condition. His horses always look great and are well presented. He cares deeply about animal welfare, and we’ re constantly thinking of ways to improve the daily lives of these athletes, who live like top-level sportspeople. We install communicating boxes whenever we renovate, as thoroughbreds like to see each other. Some even play with hay balls through the bars. We dream of more paddocks, but our horses often go for breaks at stud farms or rehabilitation centers. Our support team includes a physiotherapist, a masseur, a chiropractor, and even an acupuncturist. Everything is tailored to help each horse reach its full potential. When Francis sees a horse isn’ t performing, he tells the owner straight away— it’ s pointless to push.
G. How does Francis approach competition?
L-J. G. He’ s highly competitive.
You have to be in a job like this, where there are races every day. He always wants to feel he’ s given his all. If he saddles three winners and a second-place finisher, he’ ll focus on figuring out why that one lost. But being competitive doesn’ t stop him from being fair— something he learned in England. Last year, he was really touched to receive a letter from Sam Sangster, owner of runner-up Kathmandu, congratulating him on his win with Rouhiya in the Poule d’ Essai des Pouliches( Gr. 1).
G. How does he balance such a demanding job with family life?
L-J. G. It’ s very important for him to be present for his daughters, Victoria and Scarlett. Balance is easier to find when you have your family’ s support. His parents have always been and continue to be very supportive. He knows family is a real asset. He’ s passed his competitive spirit on to his daughters— Scarlett was French eventing champion last year and competed in her first international event on Jockey Club day.
G. Francis is currently at the top of the French trainers’ rankings. Does that matter to him?
L-J. G. Not at all. He focuses on each horse and its goals, which is why he’ s not afraid to race abroad. Winning the King George in England with Goliath was huge for the stable and for the owner.
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