ENGLISH TEXTS
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THE WILDENSTEIN STABLE : UNIQUE IN EVERY WAY
Regarded as the largest family of art dealers in the world , the Wildenstein dynasty also achieved unparalleled success on the racetrack . For half a century , from the 1960s to the 2010s , the legendary blue silks with a light blue cap set a festival of records . This legend owes much to Daniel Wildenstein ( 1917 – 2001 ), the only owner in history to be crowned the leading owner in both flat racing and trotting in the same year , 1997 . That year saw the unforgettable triple crown of Peintre Célèbre , who won the Arc de Triomphe , the Jockey Club , and the Grand Prix de Paris . Judging by its record across the three disciplines , the Wildenstein stable is truly one of a kind . No other owner can claim victories in four Prix de l ’ Arc de Triomphe , two Prix d ’ Amérique , and two Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris ( 1 ). Its achievements are staggering : 104 Group I wins in flat racing , 23 in jump racing , and 42 in trotting . From Angel Penna to André Fabre , from Jean-Pierre Dubois to Jean- Michel Bazire , this remarkable adaptability enabled the silk to work with the greatest trainers . From Peintre Célèbre to Allez France , from Cocktail Jet to Kesaco Phedo , and even Kotkijet , its imprint on racing history is monumental .
PAGE 85 Lucky Wine during his victory in the Qatar Grand Handicap des Flyers on Arc day , wearing the silks of Écurie Elag . © APRH
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THE BIG
JURY
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In each edition of our magazine , we will pose four questions to four personalities from the racing world whom we believe can provide different insights on current topics ..
ARNAUD DE SEYSSEL OWNER-BREEDER , VICE- PRESIDENT OF FRANCE GALOP , CHAIRMAN OF THE FLAT RACING BOARD AT FRANCE GALOP HENRI BOZO BREEDER , CONSIGNOR FRANCIS-HENRI GRAFFARD TRAINER GEORGES RIMAUD AGA KHAN STUDS ’ EX-MANAGER have agreed to answer us .
1
WOULD YOU BE OPPOSED TO MERGING COLTS ’ AND FILLIES ’ MAIDENS IN THE EVENT OF AN INSUFFICIENT NUMBER OF RUNNERS ?
2WHICH RACE MADE THE BIGGEST IMPRESSION ON YOU IN 2024 ?
3WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM THE PMU IN 2025 ?
4COULD THE DEVELOPMENT OF RICHLY ENDOWED RACES IN THE MIDDLE EAST DIVERT GOOD HORSES FROM OUR PATTERN RACES ?
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ARNAUD DE SEYSSEL
1Article 51 of the France Galop Rules provides for this scenario and we wish to use it because we also have a duty to reduce the number of races with too few runners , as they are bad for the betting turnover . We therefore wanted to regulate its use so that everyone is aware of the rules for applying this article . It will therefore be invoked when two races each have seven runners or less , or when one of the two has five or less while the other has less than twelve runners . This would have concerned about twenty races in 2024 . We hope that these dissuasive measures will be applied as rarely as possible . This measure is part of a wider plan whereby seven places will be paid in Class 2 races for 2-year-olds , which are of particular concern . Maidens will also see their weight allowance in Class 2 races increase from 3 to 5 pounds , for example . At the same time , we will be adjusting the 2-year-old programme at the national level to avoid clashes between similar races .
2Mqse de Sevigné ’ s campaign , which echoes that of 2023 , is still remarkable . To win the two Group 1 races for fillies at Deauville again , with the Prix d ’ Ispahan as a bonus , is undoubtedly a feat that is not about to be repeated .
3That it delivers the funding that is planned . We need stability . However , I recognise that the PMU must once again tackle sports betting , which is a challenge , and completely overhaul its IT system . These are major challenges and until they are met , the PMU ’ s room for manoeuvre
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