ENGLISH TEXTS more challenging . Class horses can theoretically perform on any ground , but some prefer firmer tracks .
6 . THE COMPETITION
Examples of winning streaks are also numerous in times or regions where , due to a lack of a sufficiently large population , a gifted individual can thrive for a long time without a true rival . Balto , for example , won seven editions of the Clarke Cup between 1964 and 1970 in New Caledonia , where the equine population does not allow for the regular emergence of champions . Many records date back to the 19 th century , when poorly established genetics produced true monsters against “ rustic “ thoroughbreds . The all-time champion in terms of wins in a single race is Leaping Plum , who won eight editions of the Grasmick Handicap , a $ 15,000 race held in Nebraska at Fonners ’ Park , a parallel circuit that hardly attracts visitors . His latest success in this event was in 2003 . From a racing perspective , Nebraska today is comparable to the New Caledonian turf of the 1960s .
That said , the presence of a true specialist in a race also discourages competition from challenging . This may be one reason why , in the 1850s and 1860s , Franc Picard won the Grand Steeple-Chase de Dieppe seven times , even though he was 15 years old the last time , and had notably raced twice in the Grand National at Liverpool , an eclecticism that is hardly seen today . More recently , Risk of Thunder won La Touche Cup seven times , a cross-country race held at the Irish racecourse Punchestown . Here again , it ’ s because cross-country horses are rather rare across the Channel .
Al Capone II , however , faced top-class competitors at the peak of their form , like Ucello II , The Fellow , and Chamberko . He did not have an easy time of it !
7 . THE ENVIRONMENT
One last factor that may have played in Al Capone II ’ s favor to establish his record is the conditions of the race . When he first won it at the age of 5 , it included a weight penalty based on earnings of up to eight kilos , for a total weight of 70kg , then 10kg in 1995 . In 1996 , however , the base weight for the Prix La Haye Jousselin increased from 62 to 65 kilos , but with no additional penalty . Two years later , starting in 1998 , 5-year-olds received a two-kilo allowance . Thus , Al Capone II was able to win five of his seven trophies with 65 kilos , and only two with 70 kilos . In 1999 , could he have maintained an edge over Matinée Lover if there had been a greater weight difference ? Not sure . These new rules may explain the frequency of winning streaks after Al Capone II ’ s , with three for Bipolaire and Milord Thomas , and two for Rubi Ball and Remember Rose , totaling ten editions of the classic Auteuil race over the past 25 years .
Despite this , we are still far from the staggering figure of seven wins in a single Gr1 race .
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Al Capone II ’ s seven stars were undoubtedly aligned , and he was a force of nature with an exceptional mentality . He became even more popular as , in an Auteuil that now seems twilight compared to the 1950s , Pompon managed to win hearts and continues to do so . He is like those cyclists and athletes we admired without ulterior motives — world champions who were postal workers , police officers , accountants , or shepherds .
In addition to winning , these champions resemble us . Pompon is the girl-nextdoor of racing at Auteuil .
Page 46 This album features rider Jean- Yves Beaurain , who rode Al Capone in each of his 7 victories , the horse retired to the Aigles stud with his former stablemate El Paso , top left Robert Fougedoire , the owner , alongside Dany and Bernard Sécly , and with Serge Landon , and below with Bernard Cyprès , who is stroking the horse co-bred by his family .
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STATISTICS / NUMBERS
Al Capone II ( March 30 , 1988 , Nièvre - November 9 , 2020 , Oise ) French Saddle horse by Italic ( French Saddle ) and L ’ Oranaise ( thoroughbred ), by Paris Jour . 65 races , including 64 at Auteuil 26 wins , including 9 Gr1 races 7 Prix La Haye Jousselin 1 Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris € 2,623,874 in earnings . Breeders : Jacques Cyprès and Laurent Couétil Owner : Robert Fougedoire Trainer : Bernard Sécly Jockey : Jean-Yves Beaurain
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FRANÇOIS DOUMEN : “ AL CAPONE II WAS SUPPOSED TO JOIN MY STABLE ”
“ I recently reviewed the best horses I ’ ve trained while writing my memoirs , and Al Capone II comes up quite a bit , as he faced some tough competitors ! In truth , he was supposed to join my stable because Robert Fougedoire , his owner , took me to
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