ENGLISH TEXTS featuring 23 hard courts , 20 clay courts , two squash courts , two swimming pools , a sports medicine center , and an American school for its students . Many professional players also visit the academy to benefit from its infrastructure to refine their technique and fitness . While the students of the Rafa Nadal Academy have the privilege of learning from the second-highest Grand Slam title holder in an exceptional environment , the trainees of the SIPA ( Soumillon International Pony Academy ) are equally fortunate . They have the unique opportunity to train under one of the world ’ s best jockeys . Christophe Soumillon boasts 10 Golden Whips , the record for most victories in a single year ( 306 ), and over 100 Group 1 wins . Though SIPA was founded in 2023 in Lamorlaye , the Belgian jockey acquired the Haras des Marettes in the fall of 2023 . This former breeding establishment , built in the pure Norman style in Saint-Arnoult , spans 48 hectares , with a portion dedicated to breeding racing ponies . While the breeding program is operational , the training infrastructure is still under construction and is expected to be completed by 2026 / 2027 . The facilities will include five tracks , a walker , a Havrincourt ring , 45 stalls and accommodations for trainees . The complex will be worthy of a professional racehorse training center , mirroring the excellence of the Manacor academy . However , this “ similarity ” is no coincidence . During a training camp for Mika , his eldest son , Christophe was inspired by the rigorous approach and infrastructure of the Spanish tennis champion ’ s academy . It became clear to him : offering young riders a structured training facility that combines high standards , personalized support , and the transmission of equestrian values was a necessity .
The Importance of Passing on Knowledge To nurture talent , one must be surrounded by the best . Beyond its sports facilities , the Rafa Nadal Academy boasts a coaching staff worthy of a world number one . The technical director is none other than Carlos Moyá , a former ATP world number one and Nadal ’ s former coach . Additionally , his uncle , Toni Nadal , with whom Rafael won 16 of his 22 Grand Slam titles , is the academy ’ s current director . Bringing in top experts is also Christophe Soumillon ’ s vision . Within his team ( as he calls it on SIPA ’ s website ), one finds Dominique Bœuf with his four Golden Whips , Hervé Gallorini — son of Jean-Paul , a former jump jockey , equine masseur , and physiotherapist for Paris Football Club — along with Thomas Huet , a former jockey and recently a bloodstock agent at ARQANA , all contributing to SIPA ’ s training programs .
So , what drives these top athletes to embark on the journey of mentorship ? In an interview with TF1 , Rafael Nadal explained , “ Everything will be in one place here . When I was young , I didn ’ t have all this . I had to constantly travel from one location to another to fit everything into my schedule while also keeping up with my studies .” As for the champion jockey , he shared his perspective in 2023 : “ I started at seven in Belgium . I didn ’ t have the means to own my own pony , so I rode those belonging to owners . I would race them , and when they started gaining value , they were sold . It often broke my heart , so I don ’ t want that to happen to these children . I learned so much from pony racing . Back in Belgium , I was lucky to be surrounded by great jockeys who gave me advice . Encouragement is crucial , and that ’ s what I want to offer these kids . The goal is to make it accessible to everyone .” For “ Rafa ,” the objective is “ to prepare young people for the future , not just for tennis , because we know that many of them will not become professional players . These kids need values and an education , and our goal is to use our experience to prepare them as best as possible .” On his part , the Belgian jockey emphasized , “ For me , this is the beginning of everything . It ’ s the seed we plant to grow what we need .
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