hurdle or defend her crown in the mare ’ s race .
Galopin des champs
“ It ’ s quite magical and prestigious to see one of the horses you ’ ve bred shine at Cheltenham . We went there last year and it was incredible . As a youngster , Galopin was very calm for a thoroughbred , maybe because he was the only galloper among a group of trotters . When we see his sister out in the pasture , we give her a pat and think fondly of him .”
LOSSIEMOUTH
“ Lossiemouth has always been the most beautiful , even though she is currently among the smaller horses by size in the Mullins stable . Her dam , Mariner ’ s Light , is a half-sister to Gr . 1 winner Lord Glitters and comes from a very active NH family . She went through the sales at two but didn ’ t attract any bids . We decided to keep her with our long-time partner , Ian Kellit , and this success is a wonderful achievement for him as well . Winning at Cheltenham is truly extraordinary . Races in England are a real celebration , and winning a race brings even more intense emotion .”
Cécile Madamet , Elevage des Vallons
IMPAIRE ET PASSE
“ I wish everyone could experience this , especially as small breeders like us , with only five broodmares . It ’ s a dream come true . This is an extraordinary horse from an incredible family . We bought his second dam , Kel Écossaise , and kept his dam , Brune Écossaise , who showed great mental on the track . She produces foals that don ’ t immediately stand out but are well-built and beautiful . They truly blossom at 4 or 5 years old , with an exceptional physique and an athletic temperament — full of energy but without nervousness . Impaire et Passe has exceptional move and a remarkable mindset . The emotions are even more intense because he didn ’ t just win one Group 1 .”
Pascale Papon , breeder with her husband Eric Papon, Haras de Peyre.
IT ’ S A CHILDHOOD STORY
Close your eyes for just a second and dive in : your knees are scraped , your hair is messy , you ’ re always missing something , you ’ re hungry all day , snack time is sacred and friends are life . Got it ? Do you remember ? You ’ re 9 or 10-year-olds , the sun is shining , it ’ s warm , it ’ s summer and school is already a distant memory . You ’ re taken to the Lion-d ’ Angers racecourse in July , and you ’ re about to experience an enchanted weekend you could only dream of !
A hundred children , and at least as many parents , come from all over France : the West , the Center , Paris region , Normandy , Southwest , and the Southeast . Many already know each other , while others meet for the first time . The kids from the South speak with a different accent , but once on horseback , it doesn ’ t matter . These are the early days of the SIPA , where amateur competition riders gather to prepare with the “ second chance “ stables for a wild derby . You have pitched the tent , parked the caravan , found guesthouses and hammocks are strung between trucks … The atmosphere is festive , like a summer camp : a flurry of sleeping bags , poorly brushed teeth and morning brioche shared among everyone . Chairs are set up near the stables , and there ’ s even a TV to follow the Tour de France . The parents have it all planned , the trailers hitched to trucks because over a hundred ponies are arriving and settling in . Poneys au Galop is overseeing things , and volunteers from Au Galop en Anjou have organized buffets and grouped kids under the guidance of a dozen jockeys and trainers who have come to spend two days with you . You have one , two , maybe three ponies to work with , and on Saturday , you have two main goals : learn and have fun . By Sunday , it ’ s all about giving it your all to win ! Bare arms , heads protected by helmets and sneakers laced by parents who are constantly on the move , leading ponies , watching the groups , catching runaways and soothing the injured . Thankfully , hospitality in the West is top-notch , with a refreshment stand nearby to quench their thirst . Impromptu naps are taken under the trees and water fights help shake off the drowsiness . There ’ s dust everywhere , but smiles never leave your faces and time seems to stand still . Olivier Jouin , Clément Lefebvre , Valentin Morin , Alain de Chitray , Geoffrey Ré , Jérôme Delaunay , Nicolas Lefebvre , Christophe Soumillon , Mathieu Nadot , Thomas Beaurain , Camille Peltier and Wilfrid Denuault are all there to help you improve : adjusting your position , thinking through your trajectory , waking up a sleepy pony , refining your hands and softening a fall . You ’ re 9 or 10-year-olds , flattered that they ’ re all there just for you , though it ’ s only later that you ’ ll realize the privilege of having such a gathering of talent entirely at your service . You ’ re 9 or 10-year-olds , the sun is shining , it ’ s warm and you ’ re living a dream ! The next day , 17 races for all levels and disciplines take place , with kids of all ages helping each other . They call out to one another and talk within the groups , but at the finish line , it ’ s every rider for themselves - everyone ’ s in it to win . You ’ re 9 , 10 , or 11-year-olds now , with your hair neatly tucked under your helmet , your safety vest securely fastened , your silks perfectly fitted , and race after race lined up . Yesterday ’ s instructors turn into your biggest fans , helping you mount your pony while exchanging knowing glances : “ These kids are lucky .” You can see them running alongside the rail , shouting encouragement . Life is a celebration , and the weekend concludes with a massive costumed karaoke session . Here , people may ride horses better than they sing , but there ’ s no better way to have a good laugh ! As for the karaoke ? Let ’ s keep those files private , and no pictures , please ( wink ). Now open your eyes - you weren ’ t dreaming , you just took a dive into the summer of 2022 at Lion-d ’ Angers . Your knees aren ’ t scraped , your hair is combed , you don ’ t have a snack in hand , but for a few minutes , you were 9 , 10 , or 11-year-old again . And this summer , it ’ s happening again in Vaumas : come dream and ( re ) immerse yourself in the childhood you haven ’ t quite forgotten !
A DIP INTO THE SURFACES
The Greek philosopher Aristotle
What determines a horse’s aptitude to race on a particular surface: turf, all-weather or even the dirt on which most races are run in the United States? Genetics come into play, but so does the trainer’s audacity!
IThis is the story of a punter who prayed to the Lord every day to win the jackpot . Exasperated , God finally said to him , “ At least , play the lottery !“ Taking a chance is what trainer Nicolas Caullery did not hesitate to do by once again entering King Gold in this year ’ s Firebreak Stakes , a Group 3 over the mile at Meydan racecourse . The son of Anodin won , getting up on the line to beat Laurel River , the defending champion in the Dubai World Cup and crowned joint-best horse of 2024 ! The grey King Gold , an 8-year-old , does not have a “ dirt “ pedigree , however . This surface , which is popular in many countries other than France , is , to put it simply , a descendant of the American dirt tracks , the composition of which varies from racecourse to racecourse . The top layer of the one in Hong Kong , for example , is made of fifteen centimetres of fine sand mixed with pine bark chips . “ It ’ s the horse that takes the start and not his pedigree !“ says Nicolas Caullery , who is not afraid to tackle these potentially disconcerting tracks . “ I don ’ t have any preconceived ideas , so I race my horses , I try ! King Gold has a low action , he ’ s relaxed in a race , so he ’ s easy to handle , and he has impressive basic speed .“ Qualities that have enabled Mrs Christian Wingtans ’ horse to triumph on dirt after winning a Group 1 on the turf at Deauville , the Prix Maurice de Gheest ( 1,300m ) in August 2023 . A reward for audacity ! “ When you enter a maiden , you see that there ’ s also a Fabre or big owners and you think you ’ re not going to win ... It ’ s the same thing when it comes to racing abroad . We sometimes put up too many barriers ,“ adds Nicolas Caullery . The Frenchman sent five horses to Dubai this winter , where he has been successful since 2017 . “ Everyone goes to the United States to buy dirt horses , but if there were six English horses and six American horses at the start of these races , the Americans wouldn ’ t always win ... Moreover , it ’ s amusing to note that in Dubai , all the horses train on dirt in the morning , even if some of them race on turf in the afternoon !“
Dirt : Double or Quits
The statistics for the Breeders ’ Cup Classic , created in 1984 , seem to contradict the Chantilly trainer . Only two European horses have managed to win the 2,000m of the most prestigious American race , alongside the Kentucky Derby . The Wildenstein runner Arcangues will remain as the first to defeat the Americans on their own surface , in 1993 . Trained by André Fabre , he started at the astronomical odds of 133 / 1 ! The chances of this son of the Prix de l ’ Arc de Triomphe winner Sagace , himself a winner of the Prix d ’ Ispahan , a Group 1 at Longchamp , were not obvious . His fifteen previous races had been on turf , but Arcangues nevertheless won on the dirt at Santa Anita against the favourite Bertrando . “ His trainer ’ s talent had a lot to do with it , but Arcangues liked flat , even tracks ,“ analyses Hubert Guy , a French bloodstock agent who has been based in the United States for over forty years . “ Dirt is about stamina , races by elimination , not a very elaborated game : the horses go flat out and the least tired wins . The pace , the basic speed of American races is impressive . They demand a huge resistance to effort from the horses , which have big engines , powerful hindquarters .“ A French horse trying dirt also has to cope with the significant kickback during these races : “ When King Gold came back to the stables , he was all yellow !“ smiles Nicolas Caullery . The champion Irish trainer Aidan O ’ Brien has always struggled in the Breeders ’ Cup Classic despite ... 18 attempts ! Yet he has fielded his best talents , such as Giant ’ s Causeway , 2nd in 2000 for O ’ Brien ’ s first participation . Galileo only finished 6th in 2001 and City Of Troy 8th in 2024 . The switch from turf to dirt did not suit these champions , even those who , like Giant ’ s Causeway , son of Storm Cat and a Breeders ’ Cup Distaff winner on dirt , had American bloodlines .
France Between All-Weather and Turf
In France , all-weather tracks have developed over the past twenty years . For Éric Hoyeau , former head of Arqana sales , they have three major advantages : “ In the summer , they are used for less important races , which allows us to preserve the turf surfaces intended for Pattern races . All-weather tracks also give young horses the opportunity to start on less demanding ground in winter . Finally , these tracks allow us to race all year round .“ They remain raceable despite frost and bad weather thanks to the oily substances included in their composition and their high drainage capacity . All-weather tracks can seem “ heavy “ in summer because the heat softens them : “ It ’ s the effect of butter melting in the sun ,“ says Marin Le Cour Grandmaison , head of the Chantilly site for France Galop . The all-weather tracks then become stickier , and the horses ’ times are slower than in winter . French Pattern races are run on turf , but when weather conditions make the ground particularly deep and sticky , the dice are loaded . Alain de Royer Dupré , who notably trained for the Aga Khan , recounts that Sendawar ( Priolo ), winner of four Group 1 races , hated heavy ground : “ There was no point in running him , we declared him a non-runner . But some of my very best horses , like Dalakhani and Zarkava , went on any ground .“ Éric Hoyeau does not believe that the development of all-weather racing has had a real influence on breeding.
“ It is rather the economic reality that sets the trend . To focus on possible exports , we have moved from producing horses for 2,000 metres and over , who appreciate very soft tracks , towards horses for shorter distances who go on firmer ground . The soft ground families have been redirected towards jump racing .“ “ There really are stallions that produce horses with these aptitudes , I ’ m thinking in particular of the lines of Dom Pasquini or Saint des Saints ,“ says trainer Yannick Fouin . “ Horses that gallop from the knee and have a short action have an advantage on this ground , those that are too heavy struggle to cope .“ Like Nicolas Caullery , Yannick Fouin , despite being a great connoisseur of pedigrees , does not rely solely on genetics to select his Auteuil horses . He has just claimed an “ all-weather “ runner at Marseille-Vivaux that he hopes to convert to jump racing . “ He has speed , obviously , and the right action .“ The horse is called No Bay ( New Bay ) and we will soon know if his new trainer ’ s gamble has paid off !
RACES ON SYNTHETIC TURF REPRESENTED 21.2 % OF ALL RACES HELD IN FRANCE IN 2015 , COMPARED TO 23.4 % IN 2024 .