ENGLISH TEXTS
ly being moved around . Now , the horses stationed at Maisons-Laffitte stay for at least two to three weeks . There are two staff members onsite , along with Gabin Meunier , who comes to ride two lots .
G . Morgan Regairaz in the past , now Gabin Meunier . Having a stable jockey seems important in your organization . Why ?
D . B . I ’ m a bit old-fashioned in that regard . When I was racing , every stable had its dedicated NH jockey . Marcel Rolland had Philippe Chevalier , Bernard Sécly had Jean- Yves Beaurain , Robert Collet relied on Dominique Vincent and François Doumen had Adam Kondrat . Each jockey had their stable , though they could ride for others . I find it much better when the jockeys who race in the afternoon are familiar with the horses from morning training . I like this connection , it makes race decision-making easier . My partnership with Gabin Meunier has worked well from the start , and I think it will last .
G . You mentioned the 90s-2000s and famous professionals . What is your best memory from your time as a jockey ?
D . B . Le Sauvignon ’ s victory in the Grande Course de Haies d ’ Auteuil remains my greatest memory . I was lucky to ride him while working for Jehan Bertran de Balanda . “ Milord Thomas Only Needed to Speak ”
G . What is the best horse you have trained ?
D . B . Milord Thomas won the Grand Steeple the year after I arrived in Dragey , then won the Haye Jousselin three times . He was my first star over big jumps . I loved riding him every morning , he was a pleasure to train . He only needed to be able to talk ! He is enjoying a happy retirement and stays fit by doing show jumping . It ’ s the perfect activity for him . He has always been very curious and needed constant attention .
G . How is Losange Bleu and the other top horses in your stable ?
D . B . Losange Bleu had a great winter , he put on 50 kilos and looks fantastic . We hope 2025 will be as successful as 2024 ! He ’ s a horse that needs to be in front ; otherwise , he loses interest in the race . He ’ s similar to Galop Marin but can handle a faster pace on good ground . He is set to race in the Prix La Barka ( March 23 ), then the Prix Léon Rambaud ( April 20 ), before heading to the Grande Course de Haies d ’ Auteuil ( May 17 ). His younger brother , Losange Vert Bleu , went to Pau this winter . I thought he was in good shape , but maybe he needed a break after competing against the best at Auteuil . He ’ s a strong jumper and should perform well in steeplechase events this fall . Moody Risk , unbeaten at Auteuil , is a bit tight on timing but may return on March 8 in the Prix Virelan . As for Royal Saga , he will be out for a year due to a tendon injury , as will Zaine . Among the young horses , Miracle Vert is promising , but it ’ s too early to say for sure , we need to see if they confirm their potential on the track .
G . Do you still ride during training ?
D . B . A little less than a few years ago , but I still enjoy being on horseback . You can see a lot more from within the training lots than from the ground .
G . You ’ ll turn 64 next summer , the official retirement age . What ’ s your plan ?
D . B . Retirement isn ’ t on the agenda yet . I think about it , but not for this year or 2026 . As long as things are going well and we ’ re winning good races , I ’ ll keep going !
CLUB GRC
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AMATEURS IN THE SADDLE & MULTIDISCIPLI- NARY ATHLETES
A selection of insights from passionate athletes high-
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