ENGLISH TEXTS at Clairefontaine, he run under the colors of Hugo & Pierre Pilarski to immediately join the elite. Winner of the Prix d’ Indy( Gr. 3) in his first attempt at top level, he followed up with successes in the Prix Amadou( Gr. 2) and Prix Alain du Breil( Gr. 1). Feu Follet returned to the top level with wins in the Prix Robert de Clermont Tonnerre( Gr. 3), Prix des Drags( Gr. 2) and Prix Ingré( Gr. 3). He bowed out in style with one last victory in the temple of NH racing and total earnings of € 1,065,353.
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By Serge Okey
“ WE ALL ADMIRE HIS WORK”
ALAIN DE ROYER-DUPRÉ
A model of longevity and himself a trainer of international renown, the former trainer of the Aga Khan Studs stable is not a close acquaintance of Jean-Pierre Dubois. But we couldn’ t resist asking this legendary trainer to speak about the“ chef,” even if only through the lens of his daughters, who also enjoy the trotting discipline.
Galorama. Do you know Jean- Pierre Dubois well?
Alain de Royer-Dupré Honestly, no. Once, I had a horse of his, about twenty years ago. It ran very well, but for some reason, he took it back. After that, we met on a few occasions, even recently. We all admire his work. Everything he’ s touched, he’ s succeeded with.
G. You’ ve rubbed shoulders with the best of the best, is there anyone comparable?
A. R. D. No. Such eclecticism is truly a unique signature. He managed to create a system that is both basic and efficient. I don’ t know whether one should try to imitate him or not, but one can only admire him.
G. What are his main qualities, in your opinion?
A. R. D. He does nothing superficial. What matters to him is what’ s natural. He’ s a very pragmatic person, perhaps a more common trait in the trotting world. Jean-Pierre Dubois is a man with his feet on the ground. He’ s not after what looks good, but what works.
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by Paul Casabianca
TOP 4 OF HIS GREATEST FLAT RACING VICTORIES
ASK FOR THE MOON( 2001) Dr Fong – Lune Rouge
8 STARTS 5 WINS INCLUDING 1 GR. 1 EARNINGS: € 187,080
The Prix Saint-Alary marked a first Group 1 victory for the filly, her jockey Ioritz Mendizabal, and sire Dr Fong. But above all, and of greatest interest to us here, it was also Jean-Pierre Dubois’ s first flat Group 1 winner. Bred by Aliette Forien and Jean-François Gribomont at Haras de Montaigu, Ask For The Moon was purchased as a yearling by Jean-Pierre Dubois at the ARQANA August 2002 Sale for € 110,000. Trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, the daughter of Dr Fong finished second in her first two outings before stringing together five consecutive wins, including the Group 3 Prix Pénélope before her triumph in the Prix Saint- Alary. Her seventh-place in the Prix de Diane Hermès that same year would be her only misstep, after which the filly retired. As a broodmare, Ask For The Moon notably produced Sandro Botticelli, by Galileo, a Listed winner and Group 2-placed in the UK, as well as Astrology, her full brother, a Group 3 winner and third in Camelot’ s Epsom Derby.
STACELITA( 2006) Monsun – Soignée
12 STARTS 8 WINS INCLUDING 6 GR. 1 EARNINGS: € 1,090,595
From the exceptional Von Ullmann bloodline, this daughter of Soignée was crowned best 3-year-old in France after dominating the field by four lengths in a memorable Prix de Diane( Gr. 1). It wasn’ t until the 2009 Qatar Prix de
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