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in 2023. At that point, racing fans hoped to see a new See You Then, but the horse is fragile and his trainer takes no risks, even if it means declaring a late non-runner and racing only once( for a victory in the Gr. 1 Christmas Hurdle) following respiratory surgery during the 2023 / 24 season. Frustrating for some, understandable for others, his fans and bettors hunt for every scrap of information about him, and Nicky Henderson provides it. The trainer plays the game, whether through the press or via the yard’ s X account, even when the news is not good, as has been the case recently with Constitution Hill, who has fallen in three of his last four outings. The debate over his future is raging on social media, and Nicky Henderson opened the doors of his stable to the Racing Post to follow a schooling session over hurdles ahead of his flat run at Southwell, in an attempt to return to the top for … the Cheltenham Festival.
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THOMAS BEAURAIN:“ I HAD THE SUR- NAME, I HAD TO MAKE A FIRST NAME FOR MYSELF”
BY PAUL CASABIANCA
Winner of the 600 th victory of his career with Peso di Legno on January 16 in Pau, Thomas Beaurain is enjoying a start to the season that is as eye-catching as it is remarkable. It is an opportunity to learn more about the most experienced jockey in the jumping ranks, son of the late and famous Jean-Yves Beaurain.
There are not many who have reached the milestone of 600 victories in the NH jockeys’ column. In fact, they can be counted on one hand. Behind Bertrand Lestrade, the only one to have surpassed the 1,000-winner mark, Clément Lefebvre, Kévin Nabet, James Reveley and Thomas Beaurain— who won his 600 th race on January 16 in Pau— now belong to this very exclusive circle.“ I’ m quite proud of that,” admits the most seasoned rider in the pelotons.“ There aren’ t many of us who have crossed that line; it’ s a fine reward. It takes a lot of work and sacrifices to get there.” At 38, Thomas Beaurain obviously knows what he is talking about. In a profession as demanding as that of a NH jockey, where weight management, falls and injuries set the rhythm of daily life, lasting over time is no easy task:“ I’ m lucky to have a close-knit family and to be well surrounded. Last year, I took part in 440 races, which means I didn’ t spend much time at home. I have to follow a diet to make the weight; that also requires a lot of sacrifices.” Those sacrifices were rewarded with a first Group 1 victory at Auteuil, in the Prix La Haye Jousselin in 2024, aboard the champion Gran Diose. An unforgettable, emotion-filled moment.“ Winning the Prix La Haye Jousselin, a race that is close to my heart as everyone knows, was the greatest moment of my career. As I passed the winning post, I had a powerful thought for my father, who won this mythical race eight times. Initially, I wasn’ t supposed to ride in it, but as Clément( Lefebvre) was injured and James( Reveley) was committed on Il est Français, I got the call on Wednesday to ride Gran Diose. I had already been associated with him in a comeback race. I didn’ t have time to overthink it; I told myself,‘ You’ ve been called, go for it!’ I rode him naturally and everything went very well.”
Making a name for oneself Whether in show business, cinema or sport, being the son or daughter of a celebrity or a star of the pelotons is not always easy. Carrying a famous name is certainly an honor, but it can sometimes be difficult to create one’ s own identity. Thomas Beaurain, son of the late and celebrated Jean-Yves Beaurain, a multiple Group 1 winner at Auteuil, carried the label of“ the son of” for years.“ I went everywhere with him. My father was always my idol. I had the surname, but I didn’ t have the first name. When I was young, people often referred to me as Jean- Yves Beaurain’ s son. We had two totally different careers. My father was first jockey for Mr. Sécly. I’ ve ridden at more than a hundred racecourses, whereas he was seen
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