ENGLISH TEXTS
Augustin Normand, and his management team transformed the French stallion market. As the best son of his sire, and one with an impressive turn of foot, Leffard has every chance, given the right opportunities, of maintaining the Le Havre line in the future.
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JOCKEY
AUGUSTIN MADAMET CONTINUES HIS RISE
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By Paul Casabianca
Crowned Étrier d’ Or in 2019, Augustin Madamet, winner of his first Group 3 race in France last year, is well on his way to breaking his personal record for annual victories. The former apprentice of André Fabre dreams of finding the horse that will take him to the top.
Let it be known: Augustin Madamet, born on June 1, 2002, was immersed in the racing world from a very young age. With parents who are both trainer-breeders, Cécile and Nicolas Madamet, the smallest in the Madamet family quickly developed a passion for horses. It all began with pony racing and a first win at the age of 9 at the Lion-d’ An- gers racecourse.“ I took part in over 1,000 pony races and won 170 of them. Back then, most races were in western France. I was lucky enough to ride the best ponies, both on the flat and over jumps. At just 10 years old, I already knew I wanted to become a professional jockey.” To turn that dream into reality, after winning the French Pony Racing Championship in Chantilly, he chose André Fabre as his master trainer. After six months as a gentleman rider, the Cravache d’ Or des Gentlemen joined the stables of the Chantilly maestro:“ During my school holidays, I used to come regularly to ride for Mr. Fabre. When I asked to do my apprenticeship with him, he immediately said yes. It was an honor and a privilege to work for Mr. Fabre. You get to be surrounded by excellence and work alongside a topnotch team. Mr. Fabre isn’ t one to say much, but when he has something to say, he doesn’ t hold back. I observed his methods closely and followed his advice. I was also lucky to ride some incredible horses.”
A First Win in Classic Silks Firsts always hold a special place in one’ s heart, and Augustin Madamet’ s first victory on April 22, 2019, wearing the classic silks of Wertheimer & Frère and riding Ecolo at his home track in Lion-d’ Angers, will forever be a special memory:“ Hervé Naggar was my agent from the beginning. I had the opportunity to ride for trainers like Pascal Bary, Mickaël Seror, and Carlos Laffon-Parias, among others. It was actually thanks to the latter that I got my first win as an apprentice, riding Ecolo. That moment remains one of the highlights of my career.” From one encounter to another, from win to win, France’ s best apprentice, Étrier d’ Or 2019, decided, after five years of learning, to give a new direction to his young career.
Spreading His Wings Alongside the Chantilly master, Augustin Madamet learned a great deal. But the 2018 Cravache d’ Or des Gentlemen-Riders felt the need to spread his wings and no longer rely on a single trainer:“ I’ ve been a freelance jockey for two years now. I wanted to take a different path in my career. My agent Jules Susini, who I’ ve been working with since 2022, has helped me grow a lot through his efforts. We’ ve built a new client base, and I’ ve won many races. I’ ve kept very good relations with Mr. Fabre. I still get the chance to ride some of his horses when the opportunity arises.” A bold but rewarding choice, crowned in 2024 with a first Group 3 win at ParisLongchamp aboard Columbus( Prix Lutèce) for Christophe Ferland, one year after scoring his first Group 3 victory abroad with Muskoka.“ Columbus is a very good colt, and I’ m obviously very attached to him. Like Ecolo, these are horses that left a mark on me. My first Listed
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