ENGLISH TEXTS
Cambaceres will go down in history of a winner of a brilliant race.
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PONEYS
� PAGE 98
By Mélodie Janvier
DREAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
A look back at the French Pony Flat Racing Elite Championships, held on August 7 and 9. It was an opportunity for aspiring jockeys to don prestigious silks during the famous Deauville meeting- a dream come true for some.
The French Pony Flat Racing Elite Championships aimed to determine the best jockey across three different pony racing categories: B Elite, C Elite, and D Elite races. This year marked the ninth edition of the Championships, organized by the Poneys au Galop association led by Cécile Madamet. These Championships are made possible each year thanks to the involvement of the entire industry, stud farms, sales companies, training centers, feed suppliers, and of course owners, who allow young jockeys to wear their celebrated silks. In addition to donning the racing colors of the“ great stables,” some of the mini-jockeys were also rewarded by the Godolphin team, as their ponies were judged the best turned out. And as if that weren’ t enough, master trainer André Fabre, with his“ innocent hand” in a prize draw, offered the winner a one-week internship at his yard, much to the delight of Sacha Castela.
Six races, two rounds Six races were contested: three on Thursday and three finals on Saturday. In addition to the chance to learn alongside one of the sport’ s greatest trainers, Sacha Castela won the Prix d’ Etreham aboard Class Annie Act, carrying the silks of Ecurie Griezmann. Then Tao Foassier once again stole the spotlight with the indomitable Heatherton Cheeta and the colors of Sofiane Benaroussi’ s stable. The last race of the day went to Arthur Mottais-Dvorak and Kanaille des Vallons, representing the classic Wertheimer & Frère silks. Everyone gathered again two days later for the decisive finals. A winner on Thursday, Arthur Mottais-Dvorak this time had to concede to Robin Soumillon and Nathan Oger, who was crowned Champion of the B Elite races and had the pleasure of celebrating his victory alongside Cristian Demuro. Tao Fouassier and his loyal Heatherton Ceetah repeated their triumph by winning the C Elite Championship. And just like on Thursday, Sacha Castela doubled up by capturing the D Elite final, making the two days truly exceptional for him. Once again, it was an edition crowned with success, children overjoyed, families beaming with pride at their youngsters, no matter the result.
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PEDAGO
� PAGE 100
By Céline Gualde
RACECOURSES ARE NOT( ALL) LEFT HIGH AND DRY
Climate change has not spared racecourses, which are highly weather-dependent for the upkeep of their tracks. Increasingly frequent droughts and watering restrictions are forcing them to adapt. To these new water-saving constraints they are responding with remarkable ingenuity and technological advances that are positive for the planet … and for the horses!
If you look at the tracks at the Côte d’ Azur racecourse in August, all you see is yellow. As if there were two Polytracks! The outer turf courses, both Flat and Jumps, were abandoned after the winter meeting. In other words, they weren’ t watered and the grass died.“ In Cagnes-sur-Mer we’ re not far from the mountains
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