ENGLISH TEXTS him apart . He is perfect and checks all the boxes of a horse you dream of having in a stable .
G . You ’ ve been training Purebred Arabians for a long time . How has the breed evolved over the years ?
F . R . Since French breeders realized they could make money selling horses , they have changed many parameters , such as land management , feeding , and more . The horses have grown taller , gained depth , and have stronger bones . They ’ ve become more powerful , and as a result , the race times have dramatically improved ! In the past , we used to receive nearly wild , somewhat complicated horses . Over the years , they ’ ve become gentler and more competitive . The interest from Gulf countries in French breeding has greatly contributed to the breed ’ s evolution .
G . Would you say that Purebred Arabian are faster nowadays ?
F . R . Yes , absolutely ! There ’ s no comparison ! We couldn ’ t even race them against their predecessors . The difference is huge , especially with modern training techniques . You ’ d have to ask Jean-Pierre Totain if Danzina could compete with today ’ s Arabians . She was a champion in her time , but I think the gap would be enormous . The breed has now stabilized , and there isn ’ t much left to improve . Among champions like Al Mourtajez , Ebraz , and Al Ghadeer , the difference wouldn ’ t be significant .
G . Does this evolution increase the risk of injuries ?
F . R . Purebred Arabians rarely suffer from tendon issues if we take proper care of them and respect their growth process . Their development is slower . They start breaking in during the spring of their two-year-old year , go back to pasture in the summer , and only begin serious training in the fall . This allows them to mature without being overworked . Some could race as two-year-olds , but that would lead to injuries . Generally , they are healthy and robust with strong bones . They also experience fewer bleeding issues because they mature later . Like Thoroughbreds , they can develop sore shins , but the key is to give them time to strengthen . Moreover , in France , they can ’ t race too frequently . The racing schedule allows for longer recovery periods between races .
G . What will Al Ghadeer ’ s 2025 race schedule look like ? Will you attempt a third Triple Crown ?
F . R . We don ’ t have many alternatives . Goodwood is an obvious choice since the festival is sponsored by the QREC , and it ’ s also his best distance . He is unbeatable over 1,600 meters . Then , we will likely target the Qatar Prix Dragon and the Qatar Arabian World Cup . Racing during the Arc weekend is also a given — ParisLongchamp is his home turf , and he races in front of his fans . It ’ s pure joy to be at Longchamp with him . It ’ s worth noting that he was voted the second-best horse of the year by Jour de Galop readers . For a Purebred Arabian , to achieve such recognition is significant ! He has done so much for his breed . We considered adding other races to his schedule . The Saudi Cup , a week after the H . H . Amir Sword Festival , doesn ’ t make much sense , especially for the horse ’ s well-being . Racing in Abu Dhabi in December is also tricky due to the large field sizes and unpredictable conditions . The only suitable race might be the Dubai Kahayla Classic ( Gr . 1-PA ), unless new high-level races are created . However , the most important thing is preserving Al Ghadeer ’ s physical and mental integrity . He needs to maintain his will to win . As long as he has that drive , he will remain unbeatable . He is a once-in-a-lifetime horse !
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