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DR . DÉTRÉ ’ S VISION
The grey and garnet striped silks of Dr Jacques Détré have graced racecourses far and wide , made headlines in the AQPS flat programme , conquered the biggest championships at Auteuil , dominated Chantilly and Ascot , and are now firmly established in the breeding world . Like a conversation with the Détré family , united around this vocation , it ’ s a fascinating story that Galorama wanted to share with you .
Photo : De Bon Coeur , the best horse produced by the Lageneste-Détré partnership .
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FORGING DESTINY
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It ’ s very difficult to disagree with Jacques Détré . Perhaps because he seems to succeed in everything he undertakes , as evidenced by the size of the medical complex of which he is one of the directors , in the heart of his stronghold in Limoges , and particularly the building devoted to his speciality , ophthalmology . As also evidenced by all the photos that can be seen in his home , in his office , and the impressive record that you will find opposite .
Tenacious and curious , direct and pragmatic , perhaps lucky but above all a formidable negotiator , Jacques Détré embarked on the racing world in a skiff similar to all those who , since the dawn of time , have run aground on the first rock they encountered . More than forty years later , he has gradually transformed it , by forcing destiny and seizing every opportunity , into a fast and formidable frigate , then an aircraft carrier .
After a turbulent start as a gentleman rider in the Charentes region , with a 3 rd place at Niort as his only trophy , Jacques went to study medicine in Limoges , and only returned to racing once he had established himself .
The rest is a matter of encounters , circumstances and reflection . With Benoît Gabeur and Guillaume Macaire , first , and the phenomenal Brune d ’ Ex , a small find by the prodigious trainer who , once on the track , became a lioness : under the silks of Jacques , which were rarely worn , she would win ten AQPS races in a row , including the Prix de Craon and the Prix Jacques de Vienne , which are Gr1 AQPS races today .
It was with breeder Alain Ranson that he had unearthed Guillaume Macaire , on the very day that the trainer was having a definitive falling out with the owners of his previous stable . Alain and Jacques were thus the first owners to join the trainer when he set up in Royan . Together , they raced Parika , Jacques Détré ’ s first Group winner , but not in his colours .
Thanks to the breeder of Azertyuiop Pierre de Maleissye , he saw his silks triumph at the highest level at Auteuil with Pantruche and especially Bipbap , winner of the Prix Maurice Gillois ( Gr1 ) in 1998 .
It was on the other side of the year 2000 that Saint des Saints appeared , Jacques Détré ’ s first major coup . The colt had been conceived by Nicolas de Lageneste with the idea of making him a stallion after a career over jumps ( read our article on page X ). But he wasn ’ t particularly attractive . For Jacques Détré , this wasn ’ t so important : “ Macaire used to say that it wasn ’ t the best horse that won , but the least tired one ,“ he recalls . “ That may have changed since , but for us , at that time , pedigree was paramount . So as far as physique was concerned , there couldn ’ t be any major conformation issues , but a flaw with a very good pedigree could be overlooked . And I liked this colt ’ s pedigree .“
It was a particularly happy find , as the colt in question won seven races at Auteuil , and over € 430,000 , while remaining entire . It was then that one of Jacques Détré ’ s main qualities came into play : his ability to negotiate . When Saint des Saints , having come up against the formidable Karly Flight , had to retire to stud , he no longer had the aura of the previous spring . So it was his co-owner who , as his partner Nicolas de Lageneste confirms , negotiated with Marc de Chambure and Franck Champion for the horse to enter Haras d ’ Étreham . “ He came from a family originating from the Chambure bloodlines , and I think that played a part ,“ he believes . “ Then , I went to look for the ones I liked among his first progeny , and I bought five , all of whom won . It was only then that the stallion took off . Until then , while waiting for the first races of his offspring , Franck Champion had a hard time selling his nominations ! And we notably had Santa Bamba , who I was only able to acquire thanks to the support of Nicolas de Lageneste , and who finished 2 nd in the Prix Congress ( Gr2 )
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