ENGLISH TEXTS
G . On your own , you might not have taken the step ?
V . M . I don ’ t think so . If you ’ re not introduced , you don ’ t necessarily know where to start . It ’ s important to have someone you trust . As a kid , I was a little scared of horses , they are imposing animals . As a player , I already experienced racing intensely on my small scale . I love going to Vincennes , Borely , Paris- Longchamp . On big days like the Prix d ’ Amérique , the Cornulier , or the Arc , the atmosphere is incredible .
G . So , you are a bettor turned owner …
V . M . I should clarify that I am a reasonable bettor , it has to remain a pleasure . But horse racing is so exciting that you quickly get caught up in it . When you follow a favorite horse - I used to love Délia du Pommereux ( one of the queens of Vincennes ), you feel connected to them , almost as if they were yours . And I ’ m a competitor , I love winning .
G . The adventure is just beginning . It ’ s all very recent , right ?
V . M . Yes , I ’ m just starting . I have only recently received my license and my colors . I own a share of Princess Lily with Hervé . He handled everything with Markus Nigge . She ’ s a four-year-old filly who has run three times . A beautiful model , still young , who should appreciate turf . We ’ ll give her time , but we ’ re ready to fight . It ’ s not about money at all . The point is to experience an adventure and share emotions . Having your own silks gives you a unique sense of belonging . It ’ s rewarding .
G . What colors did you choose ?
V . M . I went for something simple - it ’ s my “ vintage ” side : black with beige stripes on the sleeves . In trotting , the colors will be the same but a bit “ funkier ,” with stars . My trotting license is currently in process . Eventually , I ’ d like to have two flat horses and two trotters , but not necessarily as a full owner . I also love NH racing , but for now , I have too much compassion . You need to have a strong heart for it . Markus Nigge has agreed to let Princess Lily race under my colors . That ’ s very gentlemanly of him , as I ’ m not the majority owner .
G . How do you explain athletes ’ growing interest in horse racing ?
V . M . The pleasure of it takes precedence over everything else . We love the thrill . It ’ s like playing in front of a packed stadium , horse racing is full of emotions . It ’ s one of the few sports where you can invest . Like any other domain , it requires surrounding yourself with the right people . For me , trust is everything .
G . With teammates like Mathieu Cafaro , do racing discussions liven up the locker room ?
V . M . Yes , of course . There ’ s also
Julien Lopez and , of course , Hervé . Mathieu is way ahead of me . We ’ ve even watched races together on the team bus during away trips . He gives me advice when I have questions . I still have a lot to learn — things like handicaps are not easy to grasp . Initially , I was more into trotting , but I ’ ve become just as passionate about flat racing . My filly should race in March . I can ’ t wait to see her on the track .
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By Olivier Villepreux
SYLVAIN CHAVANEL
FROM THE VELODROME TO THE RACETRACK
The former track cyclist and among the leaders of the Belgian team Quick Step , French road champion , three-time winner in the Tour de France , and yellow jersey holder in 2010 , has transitioned into an amateur racing driver to fill the void left by his sports career .
Galorama . How did you transition from cycling to harness racing ?
Sylvain Chavanel . Through connections and acquaintances I made during my career . When I was younger , my father used to go to racetracks , and my son is into
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