EXPRESS INTERVIEW
SOFIANE
BENAROUSSI
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Founder of Galorama , owner-breeder Sofiane Benaroussi introduces himself and tells us about his passion for horse racing . With his champion Zarakem set to run in the Qatar Prix de l ’ Arc de Triomphe , he also talks about what drives him in the world of racing ...
GALORAMA : Why horse racing ? S . BENAROUSSI : I grew up in the south of France where the horse has a prominent place . I have always loved the animal , and I rode a lot in my youth . My introduction to racing , however , is more recent , and I immediately fell in love with the sport . I find the beauty of the horse in motion captivating and this industry increasingly fascinating as I discover more about it . I am lucky enough to experience very strong emotions alongside my horses , both on the Flat and over jumps , and I take great pleasure in going to the gallops in the morning or to the races in the afternoon . I find the daily work , the involvement of the whole team , the fine-tuning , the meticulous details , the personalised objectives very intriguing and inspiring . My favourite discipline remains jump racing , which gives me an incredible thrill : the spectacle of these horses clearing obstacles at full speed , the beauty of their movement and the work involved are amazing . I have a lot of young horses , and I can ’ t wait for next year to see them make their debuts .
G . You have a runner in the Qatar Prix de l ’ Arc de Triomphe , what does that mean to you ? SB . The whole adventure is incredible , and I realise how lucky I am to have a runner in such a race . Zarakem ’ s second place in the Prince of Wales ’ s Stakes ( Gr1 ) at Ascot was memorable , especially as we were there with Nicolas de Chambure of Haras d ’ Etreham and Nicky de Balanda of NBB Racing . The excitement , the atmosphere , the race , the horse , the team , everything was fantastic . What I love about racing is sharing it , whether with the close circle of our team or more broadly with all enthusiasts .
G . Why GALORAMA ? SB . I have always loved entrepreneurship , and the dynamism associated with new ventures . I have invested in many business sectors , including board sports , which also combine speed and technical skill . I was working on a press project a few years ago , which didn ’ t come to fruition , but which had greatly aroused my curiosity . Horse racing is a fantastic breeding ground for innovation , and I want to work for this industry that continues to fascinate me . Faced with all the challenges it faces , it seems important to me to act whenever the opportunity arises and for us all to pull in the same direction to make a difference . In this sense , GALORAMA combines innovation to meet the needs of professionals , international reach to be part of a market without borders and openness to bring a fresh perspective to racing news . GALORAMA is a very young start-up with real ambitions and a multi-talented team working together . Its commitment to racing is also reflected in its offering , with a digital magazine available exclusively free of charge , and commercial opportunities at controlled costs .
G . What does the world of horse racing mean to you ? SB . An exciting arena , an industry undergoing great change and a lot of sporting emotions .
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