ENGLISH TEXTS ders, but he unleashed his acceleration far too early. El Condor Pasa was still a length in front with 200m to go, but he tired, and Montjeu came to snatch victory.” The two champions left their rivals six lengths behind, and Japanese disappointment was immense, even if Montjeu had been the favorite. Cruel fate struck El Condor Pasa, who died of colic at just seven. What a waste, considering he sired three Group 1 winners and five other Group winners from only two crops! In 2006, a new Japanese warrior seemed ready to avenge him: Deep Impact, considered the greatest horse ever bred in Asia at the time. Paired with star jockey Yutaka Take, he was sent off a heavy favorite, especially since the field counted only eight runners. Five thousand fans and 150 Japanese journalists were present at ParisLongchamp. But Deep Impactwas beaten by Rail Link, finishing third before being disqualified for a positive doping test. Barbe, part of the entourage, recalls:“ Deep Impact lost because he was sick. He had caught a cold because his trainer Yasuo Ikee took him out too early in the mornings- 5 a. m. in late September! We pointed out that André Fabre only started his first lot at 7:45, but he wouldn’ t listen. The horse was treated, with the outcome we know.”
€ 200,000 to € 250,000: That is the cost of transporting a Japanese horse for the Qatar Prix de l’ Arc de Triomphe, including round-trip transport, taxes and all additional expenses( source: France Galop and Patrick Barbe).
A LONG-HAUL FLIGHT FOR THE JAPA- NESE CHAMPIONS
By Céline Gualde Transporting horses from Japan is no small feat, even though the process is well established. STH-Hipavia, based in Lamorlaye, is one of the companies providing this service for champions from the other side of the world. An interview with François Chevalier du Fau, head of international operations at the company for the past twenty-five years.
Galorama. How does the journey for horses from Japan unfold?
François Chevalier du Fau. Since Air France no longer operates cargo flights from Tokyo, it is the German airline Lufthansa that carries the horses from Narita Airport to Frankfurt. The flight lasts 11 hours 30 minutes to 12 hours. Upon arrival in Germany in the morning, they disembark, go through the border inspection post, which includes a veterinary check, and then rest all morning in the airport stables, which are very comfortable. This year, they left again around 1 – 2 p. m. for the final leg of the journey by truck, arriving in Chantilly in the evening. However, the entourage of one horse requested a private plane from Frankfurt to Le Bourget Airport to avoid the road trip. Confidentiality obviously forbids me from revealing which one!
G. How are the horses accommodated on the plane?
F. C. F. They are placed in rubber-padded stalls whose design is somewhat reminiscent of a two-horse truck, like a Master. They can see each other and have their hay. Under these conditions, they are generally very calm. A horse may occasionally travel with its usual groom, depending on available cargo space. But in any case, there is always a professional groom on board who knows the safety rules and the protocol: how to load, unload, etc.
G. But your role doesn’ t stop at receiving the horses when they come off the plane, does it?
F. C. F. Oh no, far from it! This year, the first Japanese horses arrived at the end of July, some returned home, others stayed to run the Arc … I have been working on their files since June, in contact with our correspondents in Japan. Beyond the trip itself, which clients pay directly to the airline, there are import formalities, veterinary matters, grooms, accommodation for the horses and their attendants in France, taking out liability insurance, which is mandatory during their stay … The horses often
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