THE BIG JURY
THE BIG
JURY
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For each edition of our magazine , we will ask four questions to four racing personalities who we believe are likely to provide different perspectives on these topical issues . For this first edition , we have chosen three issues that have punctuated the season ’ s news , and a final question of a more personal nature ... Owner-breeder Edouard de Rothschild , jockey-turned-trainer Gerald Mossé , journalist-owner Gilles Barbarin and former trainer Alain de Royer Dupré have agreed to take part in our GALORAMA PANEL
Question 1 Geldings in the Qatar Prix de l ’ Arc de Triomphe ?
Question 2 What do you make of the 2-year-old programme in France ?
Question 3 What can be done to increase the number of runners ?
Question 4 Where will you be watching the Arc this year ?
Edouard de Rothschild 1 . I think geldings are at an advantage over both fillies and colts . So , we could accept them in the Arc but with a penalty . 2 . I would try to find a race like the Prix de la Salamandre , which was run over 1,400 metres in September at Longchamp . We made the mistake of pushing the second part of the programme back to autumn . On this point , the old ones were right . If we could have kept the 1,200 metres of the Morny , then 1,400 metres at Longchamp in September and then the 1,600 metres of the Grand Critérium , it would be perfect . But the Irish have taken the place of the Salamandre with the National Stakes and it is difficult to go back . 3 . The lack of runners is an expression of the lack of owners , the lack of depth of ownership in France and internationally . At the same time , we could try to enhance the value of the very big handicaps . It ’ s not easy because while in England or the United States , owners are very motivated to participate in big handicaps with good horses , in France , it seems like a punishment . 4 . I will be watching the race with my family from the box I occupy at the racecourse . I don ’ t have any particular habits , no rituals . I just go through emotions , and that ’ s the goal . An owner is first and foremost a collector in search of emotions .
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Gérald Mossé 1 . I don ’ t think such a measure would improve the race and its standard . For me , it ’ s in the same vein as the Epsom Derby , it ’ s a selection race . It is reasonable to protect these races to promote breeding . Geldings have plenty of races at their disposal . 2 . The 2-year-old programme is not badly done , and you shouldn ’ t look for the reason for the low number of colts at the start in its design . It is rather explained by too few colts bred for it . On the other hand , colts arrive later and later in training and that doesn ’ t help matters ! 3 . I know Japan and Hong Kong well and even though , of course , they are very different environments from ours , limiting the number of horses per stable naturally encourages the number of runners . If ten colts are spread over ten stables instead of two , you will have more runners , it goes without saying . 4 . To be honest with you , I wouldn ’ t mind not having time to find a place in the stands , because that would mean I have runners to saddle ! And then , there are sales the day before the race , so who knows !
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Gilles Barbarin 1 . It would be a good thing to have them at the start . This year is exceptional , and we can ’ t only argue from this example , but why deprive ourselves of good horses at the start of a big race ? Admit that a run with Calandagan , Goliath - even if he couldn ’ t have run in the end - and even Irésine would look great ! The Arc is no more a selection race than the King George or the International Stakes in which City of Troy and Calandagan put on the
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