ENGLISH TEXTS
mittee) and reviewed at its annual plenary meeting. Founded in 1971, the EPC plays a regulatory role for selection races across Europe. France is one of its founding members. The most impactful changes are discussed and must serve the overall interests of the European selection programme. It would be unthinkable, for instance, to schedule a competing Group 1 during the same weekend as the Prix du Jockey Club or the Arc de Triomphe in another European country. The EPC also publishes rules for downgrading races if they fail to reach the required rating( meaning the horses competing do not meet the expected level). The French Principal Races Committee was created in 2024( for Flat). The UK and Ireland have one as well. Its aim is to submit proposals to the EPC. There is no equivalent for jump racing.
KEY FIGURES 231 racecourses active in France in 2023( source: Annuaire Écus 2024) Races in 2024:- 4,913 Flat races- 1,946 Jump races
“ In the past, horses didn’ t travel much. Today, horses from Royan race in Paris, and trainers from the West go to Strasbourg.” Pierre Laperdrix
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By Emmanuel Rivron
ADRIEN FOUAS- SIER, A FUL- FILLED TRAINER
One of the finest jockeys in Western France for many seasons, Adrien Fouassier hung up his boots more than five years ago and quickly made a name for himself in his new role as a trainer. Last year, he made it into the Top 10 flat race trainers in France by number of victories for the first time, a clear sign that the former jockey has successfully managed his career transition.
With more than one winner every ten runners since 2019, Adrien Fouassier has rapidly found his stride in the trainers’ rankings. It must be said that the thirty-something has always had a good sense of anticipation- whether in the saddle, where he notched nearly 700 victories, or in managing his career:“ In 2016, I bought Gérard Margogne’ s stable,” he tells us.“ It was a carefully thought-out project with my wife Agathe, and I was fortunate to acquire these facilities. Setting up in Senonnes was an obvious choice for me. Knowing your workplace and the training tracks is essential.“ A jockey for over ten years under Alain Couétil, the Mantes-la-Jolie native knows the tracks of the Mayenne region like the back of his hand. But that alone isn’ t enough to go from being a talented jockey to a successful trainer- especially when it’ s hard to let go of the adrenaline that comes with racing:“ I ended my jockey career on a winner. It was important for me to do so with one of the stable’ s horses. I loved riding in races, and I missed the locker room a bit, but I stopped without too many regrets. The adrenaline came back through training, even if it’ s completely different. Many say training brings more worries, but the upside is I no longer have to watch my weight. I can eat my fill and live a little more. Even if the job takes a lot of time, I can enjoy meals, birthdays— things I couldn’ t really do as a jockey.“ There has been much to celebrate at the yard in recent years, thanks to the champion Haya Zark, a threetime Group 3 winner before making his mark at the highest level by taking the Prix Ganay:“ It was magical to cross paths with such a horse so early in my career. Before winning his Group 1, he had already ticked some
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