ENGLISH TEXTS
many years, she has always worked as a team with her husband Joakim, who long remained in the shadows. Working hand in hand for thirty years, this passionate couple has started the year with a bang, achieving the rare, perhaps even unique, feat of three Quinté victories in seven days at the end of March. Meeting with the most Swedish of Chantillybased trainers.
GALORAMA. Before arriving in France in 2020, you had been training in Sweden. Why did you leave your home country? Joakim Brandt. We indeed spent five years in Sweden as trainers. Sweden was a bit too small for us on the flat racing side. To progress, you have to set yourself challenges. We needed bigger ones, so we had to leave. It was mainly Pia’ s idea, and we had an owner who was willing to try this adventure.
G. Why France and not England?
J. B. We chose France because the prize money is better, with a system that works very well compared to other European Union countries. I didn’ t speak a word of French when I arrived. It was really difficult for me at the beginning, and I couldn’ t communicate at all. I took French lessons for about a year and a half. It was much easier for Pia, who had always practiced the language.
G. How do you manage to balance professional life and life as a couple?
J. B. It’ s not always easy, but it’ s still easier to do this job as a team. We each have our own areas of responsibility. Personally, I spend a lot of time at the stable, on horseback, and at the racetrack. Pia handles communication with the owners, among other things. She is really very strong at her job, that must be said. She has won some very fine races, such as the Grand Prix de Paris with Mount Ormel, starting from almost nothing. At that time, we had around a hundred horses in training, compared to about fifty now.
G. Was it your choice to reduce the number of horses?
J. B. Not really, to be honest. Things were going well with plenty of wins, but COVID slowed us down somewhat. In truth, it’ s easier now with 50 horses. It’ s more manageable, and we are more relaxed thanks to good owners who allow us to work with quality horses. Most of them are Scandinavian, which is partly our choice. We have very good owners like Mr. Blichfeldt and Mr. Jordanger. They have been with us for a long time.
G. Why did your name only appear alongside your wife’ s in French race programs in 2020?
J. B. Since we had to change our legal structure, it was the right opportunity, but it didn’ t change our way of working. It didn’ t bother me to stay in the shadows— quite the opposite( laughs).
PIA BRANDT
G. How do you explain your excellent start to 2026? Pia Brandt. We worked a lot in Chantilly during the winter, in the rain and in the dark. It was tough, but we were rewarded for our efforts. The horses were well treated by the handicapper, which is why we were able to win Quintés. It’ s more difficult for some of them now, but what’ s done is done!
G. What was your background before settling in France in 2005?
P. B. I have always been drawn to horses thanks to my parents. My mother worked at the Swedish Jockey Club, while my father wore many hats. He was a gentleman rider, worked with the racetrack ambulance, and ran a horse transport company … Before becoming a trainer, I pursued general studies and tried many jobs. While always riding, I worked in restaurants, offices, hospitals— I did everything to earn a living. I’ ve never been afraid of hard work. In 2000, I obtained my trainer’ s license at 33 by taking over the activity of one of my employers.
G. How were those early years in Sweden?
P. B. Quite good, with many wins, including Listed races and top races for two-yearolds. We were almost always in the Top 10, but the level
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