ENGLISH TEXTS the labs and rely heavily on their vets.”
CBD: The“ Buzz” Among Saddle Horses According to this specialist, patents are quite common.“ France is a highly regulated country, but new products are regularly launched,” notes Lucile Falque. The latest trend is“ CBD.”“ It acts as a calming agent, treats arthritis, and many other properties have been found. People are asking for it as a supplement. We need to define a withdrawal period because of doping concerns. In racing, it’ s banned. But it’ s all the rage among saddle and leisure horses.”
“ Everyone Is Willing to Pay the Price” All professionals agree: for horses, phytotherapy is an“ extremely competitive” market, but still a“ niche market,” roughly estimated at 25 million euros in France. Dietary supplements represent two-thirds of the market. Excluding staff costs, feed remains one of the top expenses in stables. Whether they’ re substitutes or care products,“ these are fairly expensive items,” notes Lucile Falque.“ But everyone is willing to pay the price.” What’ s amusing is the contrast in approach between trot and gallop trainers. Market insiders all agree: the former are more“ experimental,” the latter more“ conservative.” Especially in younger stables. But once a gallop trainer finds their own miracle recipes, they become part of their long-term success secrets.
BACK TO THE ARTICLE �
CHRONICLES
OF THE WORLD
� PAGE 76
Igor de Maack Global Economy Associate director at the wealth management firm Vitalepargne, Igor de Maack is a reference in financial market analysis. He has also invested in horses( Écurie Nininoé) out of passion, thanks to his friendship with Fabien Rycroft( Écurie Elag). Initially active in harness racing, he has diversified into flat racing, notably with horses such as Lindy and Onesto.
Katherine Ford UK Passionate about racing, Katherine left her native Yorkshire to spend six months in France in the early 2000s... and almost 25 years later, she is still there. Now a freelance journalist and translator, she has discovered and introduced racecourses around the world for Equidia, and regularly presents French racing on Sky
Sports Racing. She is also a breeder and owner of Thoroughbreds.
Vicki Gibbins Ireland + Sales As Managing Editor of LAB Racing, Vicki Gibbins has a vast knowledge and experience of racing and the wider equestrian world. With a background specialising in bloodstock, her writing can been read in a number of publications globally, including International Thoroughbred, Racing & Sports. Vicki also represents Trackside – an on-course paddock analysis service used by Weatherbys and various other customers – and is responsible for the publication of L’ informateur.
� PAGE 78
UK
BACK TO THE ARTICLE �
KATHERINE FORD’ S CHRONICLE
GOOD FRIDAY – A GREAT DAY FOR RACING
In the English racing calendar, Good Friday is synonymous with the“ All-Weather Finals” but also with the Open Days at the training centres of Lambourn and Middleham.“ Good Friday,”
157 # 8