ENGLISH TEXTS
INTER- VIEW
� PAGE 102
By Serge Okey
" I BLAME THE PRO , NEVER THE MAN " SAD HILL , THE BANKSY OF HORSE RACING .”
He is the new Mr . X of horse racing . The mysterious agitator on Twitter . The pseudonym that both makes people laugh and sends shivers through the world of racing . For Galorama , he agreed to reveal himself a little , and ultimately , a bit more than expected . This interview is a first . And , in all likelihood , it will also be his last .
Galorama : Sad Hill , a name taken from The Good , the Bad , and the Ugly or the IAM group ?
Sad Hill : It ' s the first album produced by Khéops , the DJ from IAM , the group from my youth . The song references the film . It ’ s conscious rap , about life , that doesn ’ t talk about murder or violence . It ’ s clean rap .
Galorama : Strangely , you are quite new to the world of horse racing ...
Sad Hill : The virus hit me in November 2017 . At the time , I couldn ’ t tell the difference between a Group I race and a claiming race . My first thrill dates back to 2003 , watching the Intérieur Sport episode about Dalakhani . I fell in love with the behind-the-scenes aspect , but without stepping through the door .
Galorama : What was the turning point in 2017 ?
Sad Hill : A meeting that changed everything . A great friendship led me to the Chantilly racetrack , which didn ’ t particularly attract me , even though I grew up nearby . I was guided by a trainer . I bought a yearling just when my father passed away in my arms . It was a tough experience . The contact with the horses became a real therapy . Six months later , I found myself owning three horses . I ’ m a bit of a financial guy in my profession : I don ’ t invest one euro if I don ’ t understand it . There , I learned by investing . There ’ s a certain romance in being an owner . Horse racing became my madeleine de Proust .
Galorama : What do you mean by that ?
Sad Hill : I remembered that my grandfather was a punter . His Sunday outing was to the Chantilly racetrack . My wife is from Châteauroux , the hometown of Marcel Boussac . A lot of things kept bringing me back to racing . I started studying everything , filling up my hard drive . It ’ s a bottomless pit , but so fascinating . And I was lucky enough to build a solid network .
Galorama : With whom ?
Sad Hill : No comment . I know the right people .
Galorama : What drives you to shake up the world of racing on Twitter ?
Sad Hill : Sad Hill is me , my mood , my view of things . I ’ m not the Julian Assange of racing , but I ’ ve always fought against injustice . I feel like some people are protected , that the institutions reflect a cold , exclusive inner circle . I do all of this on principle , out of conviction , proud of my working-class roots . But I ’ m not the discipline master of horse racing . My editorial line is to make people laugh , to parody , to satirize .
Galorama : Your sharp humor also comes with real scoops ...
Sad Hill : Barza ? ( Laughs ) It amuses me to hear that it caused panic at the Aga Khan ’ s . Twenty minutes later , they had to respond . It ’ s like the Rouget - Reynier connection . When I first dropped that info , everyone thought it was a troll ...
Galorama : Why hide behind the avatar of Karim L ’ Aga Khan ?
Sad Hill : First of all , I have a lot of respect for him . Then , what would knowing who I am change ? I love Banksy . In a way , my approach is quite similar . A political message , anti-system , anti-oligarchic . Without needing to put myself forward . Sport should reward the best . But I feel like the rules aren ’ t the same for everyone . When you get caught speeding on the highway , whether you ’ re in a Twingo or a Ferrari , it ’ s the same .
Galorama : What are your limits ?
Sad Hill : I censor myself a lot . When I post something , I discuss it with my conscience . If you only knew what I keep to myself ... I blame the pro , never the man . And I ’ m not a gossip . I don ’ t care for stories about sex . I talk about racing . I have great respect for those passionate people who do this crazy job . One day , I had to delete a tweet because I had hurt someone . I ’ m a dad too . We talked for three hours . But when there ’ s something to say ... With humor , anything works .
Galorama : Are you afraid of being used ?
Sad Hill : I know who I ’ m dealing with . My information is verified and comes from strong , trusted relationships . My freedom to speak is not for sale . I ’ m nobody ’ s puppet or arm of action .
Galorama : Are you a bettor ?
Sad Hill : I like to play . The complexity of handicaps . I bet on simple and coupled bets , with a strong appetite for betting on maiden races . But I
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