ENGLISH TEXTS ning the Prix Maurice de Gheest three years in a row( 2006 – 2008). At ParisLongchamp and Newmarket, he also captured the July Cup( Gr. 1) and the Prix de l’ Abbaye de Longchamp( Gr. 1) in 2008. A career rich in success( 12 wins) that concluded at the age of eight on September 16, 2012.
Solow, an invincible champion Looking at the career of Solow( by Singspiel), known for his five Group 1 victories, over € 4 million in earnings, and his title as Europe’ s best older horse in 2015, one number stands out: 571. That is the number of days he remained unbeaten, from August 11, 2014, to March 3, 2016, when he retired. A remarkable run for the Wertheimer & Frère representative, who blossomed relatively late at three following a beneficial gelding, much like Marchand d’ Or. This handsome grey also achieved the feat of winning over 1,600, 2,000 and 2,400 meters; a rare versatility reflecting his talent and devastating acceleration. Crowned the world’ s best miler in 2015 after winning the Queen Anne Stakes( Gr. 1) at Ascot, Solow ended his career with a tenth consecutive victory at Chantilly at the age of six.
Charm Spirit, Europe’ s best three-year-old As precocious as his sire Invincible Spirit and his dam L’ Enjoleuse, Charm Spirit lost his maiden status at the same age as his father, two. This early maturity, combined with exceptional toughness, defined this triple Group 1 winner. Unbeaten on French soil in 2014, his only defeat that year came at Newmarket Racecourse( 5 th in the 2000 Guineas). The day after his triumph in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes( Gr. 1) at Ascot, the colt, crowned Europe’ s best three-year-old miler, left the stage at the peak of his glory.“ He is truly an extraordinary horse,” said Freddy Head. Brilliant on the track, the winner of the 2014 Prix Jean Prat( Gr. 1) has also excelled at stud. Retired to stud in 2015 at the age of four, this young stallion, passing on speed and precocity, sired his first Group winner from his very first crop, through a certain Yourtimeisnow.
BY SERGE OKEY
OLIVIER PESLIER:
“ A VERY GREAT RESPECT”
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The one and only jockey to have had the privilege of riding the phenomenal Goldikova, Olivier Peslier won 14 Group 1 races aboard her. The former retained jockey for Wertheimer & Frère speaks about the Norman“ queen.”
G. As the regular rider of this exceptional champion of the early 21 st century, how would you describe Goldikova?
Olivier Peslier. Goldikova is the kind of horse every owner or trainer dreams of having. Generally, top-class horses have fairly short careers on the flat, unlike in trotting. But Wertheimer & Frère decided to keep her in training: it was truly fantastic for us professionals, as well as for her many supporters. It really was the icing on the cake to be able to fully enjoy all her class over several seasons.
G. Which of Goldikova’ s victories left the strongest impression on you?
O. P. Without taking anything away from the 13 other Group 1 races she won, the 2009 Prix Jacques Le Marois remains one of her finest victories in my eyes. It was in Deauville, just a few kilometers from her breeders’ stud. We were racing at home, in front of those who had raised and cared for her. The whole stud team was there: it was a great moment, and she did it so easily. There was also tremendous enthusiasm in the stands, with a very family-like atmosphere. It certainly wasn’ t the same level of fervor as when I won the Arima Kinen in front of 180,000 people in Japan, but Goldikova had many fans.
G. What was Goldikova like on a daily basis?
O. P. She had her own character, that’ s for sure. She had even lashed out at Freddy. During canters, she didn’ t look like much, but once she got going, she really went
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