PEDAGO ENGLISH TEXTS
WHAT IT
TAKES TO STAY
� PAGE 84
By Céline Gualde
The contenders for the Prix de l ’ Arc de Triomphe will compete on one of the most famous green ribbons in the world : the Longchamp mile and a half course . This is the so-called « classic » distance which , according to Freddy Powell , managing director of the sales agency Arqana , offers « the perfect balance between speed and stamina ». For some horses , however , the 2,400m post is the end of the world . The ability to stay the distance is not given to all ! We tried to understand why ...
The Thoroughbred model differs greatly depending on their specialty and preferred distance . A bit like in athletics : a sprinter with a powerful physique would have a hard time coping if they started a marathon . While horses running 1,000-1,600m are generally stocky , dominated by their muscular hindquarters , 2,400m Thoroughbreds have a slenderer physique and beautiful shoulders that seem to propel them forward . Histological studies show that these morphological differences are reflected even in the muscles of Thoroughbreds . Richard Corveller , veterinarian at the Meslay du Maine equine clinic , explains : « Muscle fibres determine the aptitude of horses . Those of a sprinter contract quickly but for a short time , unlike those of a stamina horse . Their heart itself has different capacities .” This physical potential is inherited , and the breeder ’ s job is to guide and refine it according to the desired goal . Take the case of Sottsass , winner of the 2020 Prix de l ’ Arc de Triomphe at 4 years old , after finishing 3rd in the previous edition . His own brother Shin Emperor will be at the start of the big race on October 6th under the Japanese banner . Their dam Starlet ’ s Sister ( Galileo ) only ran four times , including three over 1,500-1,600m , without winning . But it was a constrained choice for the filly ’ s connections . Alain de Royer-Dupré , who trained her , confides that Starlet ’ s Sister had Lyme disease , which dulled her physique . However , stamina horses must have solid health because it is a key element to withstand the length of the effort . Leo ’ s Starlet , Starlet ’ s Sister ’ s own sister , also trained by Alain de Royer Dupré , won the Prix Cléopâtre , Group 3 over 2,100m . Henri Bozo , breeder of Sottsass at Ecurie des Monceaux , chose the great sire Siyouni for Starlet ’ s Sister so that he would bring « thickness and speed ». A paying choice since it gave Sottsass , endowed with an acceleration capable of crucifying his opponents in the Arc . In addition to genetics , other factors come into play to build up stamina . Richard Corveller puts the temperament of the horses first : « To withstand the 2,400m they must oxygenate well and therefore be sufficiently relaxed , well in their head . A 5f horse produces an anaerobic effort , which can be done in apnoea . But over longer distances , psychological capacities are essential .” One might argue that mental strength is also inherited , at least in part . But a 2,400m horse is patiently forged , every morning in training . Alain de Royer was a follower of « progressive cantering » which teaches the horse not to panic and to gradually tense up to finish by bending its back like a bow . « It ’ s a lot about career management ,» confirms Henri Bozo . “ To last , horses must be preserved at 2 years old . Their skeleton needs to mature . Some trainers are more specialized and more gifted at letting the potential of stamina Thoroughbreds express themselves .” This was the case of Alain de Royer , who confides : « The daily work of the horse is essential . When I trained the Aga Khan horses , they all had the same program at 2 years old and then we specialized them according to their aptitudes . If we take the example of Zarkava , she started over 1,600m at 2 and 3 years old before being extended on the Prix de Diane ( 2,100m in June of her 3 years old ), the Vermeille ( 2,400m in September ) and the Arc which she flew over in October .” The filly entered the stud undefeated in seven races , including five Group 1 , « thanks to her final burst of speed » according to her trainer . The current market trend is to produce horses that can be exploited more quickly . « In the last twenty or thirty years , we have created a new breed of Thoroughbred in France : the two-year-old that is fast and exploited early ,» says Freddy Powell . The opposite of the Arc horse , which is patiently shaped , from its birth to its peak three to five years later . The economic aspect is largely responsible for this evolution , and one may wonder if , in the long term , the classic distance will remain the premier distance ... The last ingredient to obtain one of
125