ENGLISH TEXTS
umentaries, and social platforms. Second, organizing interactive events, such as race days with behind-thescenes access, can help new audiences connect with the sport. Third, introducing youth programs, scholarships, and ownership opportunities can encourage the next generation to get involved. Lastly, collaboration between racing organizations, breeders, and social media influencers can create a broader reach, making the sport more appealing and accessible to a global audience.
NH
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By Jacob Pritchard-Webb
GRAND STEEPLE CHASE
A champions path to greatness can vary and differ in many ways. Whether it be in a gladiator fighting for his life in the colosseum and winning the hearts of the crowd or Hercules taking on the 12 labors cementing his name into the history books, champions and greats are always remembered for their achievements. In the national hunt world, there is no bigger feat then being able to win the Grand steeple chase de Paris. Crossing the finish line first in front of the historic grandstand on the third Sunday in May will cement the victors name into the memories of the masses. To cement one’ s name in the history book of being a French gold cup winner is not an easy task, it will involve traversing the 6,000-meter course and it’ s 23 obstacles against the best staying chasers that France and occasional Great Britain and Ireland have to offer. To win the race once is a momentous achievement and cannot be taken away from you but if the horse is sound enough and has the talent to do so then they start to enter the echelons of being legendary. Legends such as Hyeres 3, Kakto and Mid dancer were all three-time winners of the race, with ten horses in the race history having won it twice most recently Doctor de Ballon in 2020 and 2021.
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Any horse that wins the race is a champion. Their name engraved on the trophy, pictures printed and framed to grace the walls of Auteuil for people’ s eyes to cherish them for many years to come. But before they are lauded for their exploits, they must navigate the prep races that allow, judges, pundits and the public to divide opinions on who has the best chance of winning. Each horse takes a different path with their trainer aiming them at the race from working their way up to the top level through the handicapping route and the Prix du President republic or dominating the group races that are scattered throughout the spring. The program for Auteuil has been brought slightly forward by now beginning in mid-February and ending at the end of May to avoid the quicker summer ground and the higher temperatures. This then meant that horses that ran on the 16 th and 17 th November 48-hour obstacle meeting, only had three months before the first prep race of the Grand steeple chase de Paris in May.
EPISODE 1 Prix Robert de Clermont-Tonnerre( Gr. 3- 4,400m) Feb 15 th
The first prep race of the year was held on the 15 th of February, and it was the Grade 3 Prix Robert de Clermont-Tonnerre ran over 4,400 meters. It was won by the 6-year-old Kashdam, trained by the newly formed partnership of last year’ s champion trainer Arnaud
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