ENGLISH TEXTS
It’ s a real pleasure to work with family. But I see this sale more as a downsizing than a full stop.
G. Yet your grandfather said,“ I’ m stopping”: you don’ t believe it?
L. B. No, I don’ t believe it. I could be wrong, but it just doesn’ t sound like him. I think he’ ll slow down, not stop.
G. How would you describe this sale?
L. B. There’ s something for everyone. Some mares are exceptionally well-bred and covered by top sires, others are more accessible, sire by the sires my grandfather developed over the years. Some 2-year-old fillies just had very promising debuts. There’ s definitely something to draw people in.
G. Speaking of pedigree: Dubois on one side, Baudron on the other, you’ ve got royal blood …
L. B. You could say I was programmed for this. I’ m very lucky.
G. Would you say there’ s a“ Dubois signature” and a“ Baudron signature”?
L. B. That’ s a tough one. I’ m lucky to still have both my grandfathers, and my two grandmothers, and they are very different personalities. But what they share is a deep passion for their work and a love for horses. Hard work is sacred on both sides. That’ s been their strength. From the inside, it’ s impressive to see.
G. Like your grandfather Dubois, did you also dream of being a flat jockey?
L. B. Yes, I did pony races and I really loved it. But my weight quickly became a deal-breaker. So I naturally moved toward trotting.
G. That hasn’ t stopped you, like your grandfather, from excelling in all three disciplines: flat, jump and trotting …
L. B. He passed down his love of horses, whatever the discipline. We’ ve inherited this enriching curiosity. That openness of mind comes from him. I love the variety. Whatever the discipline, it’ s incredibly rewarding to work with a high-level horse.
G. If you had to pick just one horse of your grandfather Dubois, which would it be?
L. B. He bred, trained and drove so many champions … Personally, I’ d say Mara Bourbon in the Prix des Élites( Gr. 1, 2003). I was in the sulky, just a kid, 17. I won that race for him. It was beautiful. I imagine if I ever get to win a big race with my own grandchildren, I’ ll be over the moon.
G. Kotkijet’ s two Grand Steeplechase wins must have meant a lot to the family?
L. B. It was magnificent! A great horse bought from Count de Montesson, with a whole story behind him. Like with many horses, it was also a story of people, Mr. Wildenstein, Mr. Gallorini and of course my grandfather. Kotkijet is one of those names that echoes through the family. My grandfather is so gifted with genetics, he knew how to buy here and there and turn horses into champions.
G. After Stacelita, Sauterne and Olmedo, Sparkling Plenty might be his last moment of glory in flat racing …
L. B. I was right beside him, it was intense. We were all overjoyed. Yet another result of years of hard work and investment.
G. What are his main character traits?
L. B. He’ s a very humble person, who treats everyone the same. Winning is in his blood, he hates being second. He’ s a born competitor. I’ ve seen him jumping for joy after great wins. Winning major races is so hard. But hard work? That’ s his domain. No one can match him there. And he has an incredible connection with horses.
G. Would you say he enjoys life?
L. B. Definitely. He doesn’ t open his table to just anyone, but when he does, it’ s sincere. With those he loves, he’ s incredibly generous. He couldn’ t be more down-toearth. One day he told me,“ Louis, you have to be serious, but not take yourself too seriously.” He’ s not one for show, unless it’ s with a wink. In private, he’ s quite talkative.
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