ENGLISH TEXTS
a freelance journalist and translator, she has discovered and introduced racecourses around the world for Equidia, and regularly presents French racing on Sky Sports Racing. She is also a breeder and owner of Thoroughbreds.
Vicki Gibbins Ireland + Sales As Managing Editor of LAB Racing, Vicki Gibbins has a vast knowledge and experience of racing and the wider equestrian world. With a background specialising in bloodstock, her writing can been read in a number of publications globally, including International Thoroughbred, Racing & Sports. Vicki also represents Trackside – an on-course paddock analysis service used by Weatherbys and various other customers – and is responsible for the publication of L’ informateur.
UK
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KATHERINE FORD’ S CHRONICLE
THE ART OF THE TRAILER
Perhaps you haven’ t yet seen the Sky Sports Racing trailer for the Qatar Prix de l’ Arc de Triomphe? I’ m full of admi- ration for this 1’ 20’’ mini-edit that has been circulating on X, Facebook and Instagram since mid-September, produced by my colleagues at the British TV channel. It perfectly captures everything that makes our sport so thrilling. A breakdown of a little work of art, where cinematic codes convey the values of racing: dream, effort, heroes, sacrifice, glory … The 2024 edition’ s hero, Rossa Ryan, is portrayed with striking simplicity. The sun rises, the alarm clock rings … We are immersed in the daily life of a young man whose destiny changed on the first Sunday of October last year. In his kitchen, still in socks, the jockey dives into his memories. For him, the story of the Arc began long before Bluestocking. Against the backdrop of ordinary, everyday life, his achievement feels all the more extraordinary. Accompanied by those unmistakably British commentaries and archive footage from legendary editions that inspired the young Irishman, and so many others, the magnitude of the race is unmistakable. Rossa Ryan confides:“ The Arc is more than just a race. It’ s a defining moment in a jockey’ s career.” His heroes did it before him: Kieran Fallon, Johnny Murtagh, Mick Kinane. We find all the classic codes of merchandising around the stars. Rossa Ryan sips his coffee from a Sinndar mug, just as someone else might drink from a Zidane or Mbappé cup. He reads a vintage Racing Post article about the triumph of“ Master” Fallon, who also presides in his bedroom in the form of a fan poster.
“ The Pride of Ireland” Back to the harsh reality of a jockey’ s life. The obsession with the Arc is always present. Rossa Ryan sweats in his bathtub, trains on his bike, all while dreaming of Sea The Stars. An archive clip, a flashback …“ A dream come true,” says the young Rossa, who already thought of the Arc during his pony racing years. Then comes the ultimate reality: Rossa Ryan pulling on the Juddmonte silks, seizing the lead in the Arc …
“ A battle for glory.” A battle won, a race won. Bluestocking and Rossa Ryan enter Arc legend. The viewer is left with the clear message that this is a sporting monument not to be missed.
“ The Prix de l’ Arc de Triomphe, where heroes are made and legends endure.” The British are passionate about the Qatar Prix de l’ Arc de Triomphe. Watch the trailer and you’ ll see why!
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