ENGLISH VERSION
Claude Rouget, you won another Group 1 together in 2025 with Leffard. Tell us about it.
G. A-N. That victory in the Grand Prix de Paris was very moving. I’ m happy to have been reunited with Jean-Claude, at a more difficult time for him, with this son of Le Havre. I saw Jean-Claude again in mid-October. Of course we talked about the future, but we also recalled the good memories: we were both very emotional. You can talk about a lot of things with him. He’ s open-minded, even if we don’ t always agree. The day we agree, we’ ll have reason to worry! He has played a really important role in racing, and in my life too. I experienced my greatest emotions thanks to Jean-Claude. He has been through some very hard times in recent years and has shown great courage in everything he has had to endure. I admire his courage. I feel more than friendship for him, almost love: I hold him in the highest esteem. When I see him today, still with his courage and his dignity, I’ m deeply impressed. He was a great trainer and remains a great man. He’ s a wonderful man.
ITW
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PIERRE TALVARD
BY CÉCILE ADONIAS
SONALITIES AND AN UNSHAKEA- BLE FRIENDSHIP
Jean-Claude Rouget and Pierre Talvard are, above all, the story of two enthusiasts whose paths crossed. Passionate about horses, of course, but not exclusively. Pierre Talvard took some time to talk to us about Jean- Claude Rouget, a friend who is dear to him.
Their first meeting took place at the ARQANA sales in August 2014, when Qemah( Danehill Dancer x Kartica) went through the ring. Knocked down for € 200,000 to Mandore International Agency, she was beyond the Pau trainer’ s budget. Jean- Claude then asked Pierre to help him meet Benoît Jeffroy, at the time director of Al Shaqab Racing, to ask him to send her to him to train. The two men hit it off straight away, and their friendship only grew over the years. Pierre Talvard looks back on Jean-Claude Rouget’ s great success as a buyer.“ In 30 seconds he’ s sized the horse up – he either likes it or he doesn’ t. It’ s very quick,” Pierre explains.“ He must have his criteria, mostly rational ones, I suppose. He paid attention to the horse’ s eye and, of course, to its limbs, like everyone else. But he paid particular attention to the horse and its attitude. He’ s a sensible guy when it comes to buying – he bought in a range between € 50,000 and € 150,000.” Pierre Talvard continues:“ My
TWO MEN, TWO PERbest memory on the racecourse with Jean-Claude will always be Leffard’ s victory in the Cygames Grand Prix de Paris( Gr. 1). He was very ill at the time and he really needed a big win. Leffard gave him that. It meant a great deal!” Beyond his qualities as a trainer and a buyer of yearlings, there is another quality often mentioned by those around him:“ He’ s a bon vivant! He loves good grub and good wine,” explains Pierre with a laugh.“ He loves cooking, unlike me. He used to make an unbelievable mess of the house, but it was all done with great kindness and friendship. It was always delicious. He’ d turn up with his cool box and bring the fish as well as the salt and pepper.” In the Covid year, a lunch was organised at a racecourse, bringing a whole group of friends together around Jean-Claude. Pierre recalls that Jean-Claude Rouget had prepared everything, and“ we were a bit hidden away, out of sight – it’ s a very fond memory”. The two men naturally met up at the sales every year. Jean-Claude Rouget used to buy three or four yearlings from Haras du Cadran. They would talk things over, and their exchanges were fairly direct. All the sales took place in the ring. The only exception was the Covid year, when Jean-Claude Rouget bought six yearlings privately. Pierre Talvard explains:“ I was quite worried. I thought the auctions were going to go badly, so I called him. The sale was done privately and it saved
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