ENGLISH TEXTS
The 2024 season undeniably belonged to Ireland ’ s Aidan O ’ Brien , who claimed the trainer ’ s title by defeating the British on their home turf . Also noteworthy was the very British Ralph Beckett , ranked fifth nationally but securing five Gr . 1 wins abroad , including the Qatar Prix de l ’ Arc de Triomphe with Bluestocking and the Breeders ’ Cup Turf Sprint with Starlust , now eyeing Hong Kong .
Among jockeys , Oisin Murphy reclaimed the top spot with his fourth champion jockey title .
Both Oisin Murphy and his jump racing counterpart , Harry Cobden , have recently featured in television series on mainstream British channels . Oisin Murphy was a central figure in “ Horsepower ”, a docu-series produced in 2022 for Amazon Prime and broadcast this year on the BBC . Meanwhile , Harry Cobden appeared in “ Champions : Full Gallop ”, an ITV series about jump racing , aired last spring .
These initiatives , supported by British racing organizations , aim to enhance the sport ’ s public image . Despite the bustling crowds at Cheltenham , Ascot , or Aintree , British racing also grapples with a perception problem among the broader public .
With the start of the jump racing season , a fresh initiative , the Jockeys ’ Cup , was launched to spotlight the sport ’ s athletes . The jockey accruing the most points during televised races on ITV up to the Grand National meeting in Liverpool will earn a £ 500,000 prize !
Harry Cobden commented in the Racing Post : “ I ’ d rather win the new Jockeys ’ Cup than retain my champion jockey title .” The Jockeys ’ Cup boasts a £ 1.5 million prize pool , rewarding the top 10 jockeys , the leading two apprentices , as well as trainers and stable staff . Funded by betting giant Flutter , the competition is , naturally , something you can wager on .
2023 / 2024 Jump Racing Stars to Watch . While fans eagerly await the seasonal debuts of champions like Galopin des Champs , State Man , Energumene , and Teahupoomostly trained by Ireland ’ s maestro Willie Mullins-there ’ s plenty to keep British racing enthusiasts entertained .
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ROMANE BRIONNE ’ S CHRONICLE
The Melbourne Cup in the Age of Science : A Revolution for Equine Welfare . When Technology and Veterinary Rigor Revolutionize Horse Racing
The Melbourne Cup , often referred to as " the race that stops a nation ," is a landmark event in the global horse racing calendar . However , its prestige comes with intense physical demands on the participating horses . In the past , tragic incidents , such as deaths occurring during or after the race , have prompted criticism and led the industry to reassess its practices .
Racing Victoria , the body responsible for regulating and promoting horse racing in the state of Victoria , Australia , has introduced rigorous protocols to ensure the welfare of the horses . These measures begin when the horses arrive at the Werribee quarantine center , around eight weeks before the race . Among the tools deployed , bone scintigraphy helps to detect early signs of bone stress or micro-fractures , while the Sleip app provides detailed analysis of the horses ' locomotion using high-definition videos . This data is complemented by the use of Equinosis devices , which measure the symmetry of movement during trot-ups to detect even the subtlest of anomalies .
The major innovation this year lies in the daily monitoring of the horses during training . Thanks to a partnership with Arioneo , all horses were equipped with Equimetre sensors , collecting real-time data on their performance and recovery . This information allows for training adjustments to optimize their preparation while minimizing risks .
These strict protocols led to the withdrawal of horses such as Jan Brueghel and Athabascan , whose examinations revealed significant physical or health risks . Although these exclusions were disappointing for owners and trainers , they demonstrate the unwavering commitment to prioritizing the well-being of the horses .
Since the introduction of these enhanced measures , the results speak for themselves : no fatalities have been recorded during the last three editions . This progress marks a turning point for the Melbourne Cup , combining science , technology , and responsibility to ensure that the horses start the race in the best possible conditions .
As an equine performance expert , I can only support this approach based on the use of performance datasets to monitor the horses ' welfare . These tools not only allow us to track the physical capabilities of the horses but also detect early signs of fatigue or stress . This shows that technology and scientific analysis are not just competitive tools , but also tools for protection .
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