ENGLISH TEXTS
est memories are above all moments of camaraderie. Winning a Group race in Italy, in Milan, with Tarte aux Pommes ridden by Thierry Gillet, for example. Trust and friendship are the priorities. Jean-Pierre Raymond was an owner with me for thirty-eight years. We are inseparable, and yet we still address each other formally! I have many friends, and I’ m proud of that.
G. You’ re still very active in the racing world after all?
B. D. B. Yes! First of all, I’ ve always loved breeding and I continue to do so. I have four broodmares in partnership, notably with Catherine Bonneau, who is based in the Manche. I’ ve bred several good horses, including Sleeping Blue, winner of the Grande Course de Haies d’ Enghien in 2009 by ten lengths, in the colours of Jean-Pierre Raymond. I had actually won the covering by the stallion Sleeping Car, his sire. Among my broodmares is Mlle April, in partnership with Thomas Lebaron. She is a daughter of Khalkevi, of whom I am a co-breeder, and who won three times at Auteuil. She will be covered for the first time this year. And I continue to follow the horses of Jean-Pierre Raymond and Matthieu Ponson, a great opportunity for us to meet again on the racecourses and elsewhere! The training company JBB has evolved, we have created Castle Racing. The name was Véronique’ s idea, as we live in Blangy-le-Château, whose inhabitants are called Castelblangeois. The statutes have already been approved by France Galop, and this entity will encompass my various activities. I’ m also discovering the role of owner with Nathan Vergne and Dominique Bressou. I exchange a lot with them. For now, it’ s nothing but pleasure!
* Trypolo ran 79 times from ages 2 to 10, recording 10 wins and 37 placings. He notably won the Grand Prix de Pau in 1989.
BY SERGE OKEY
NICOLAS BERTRAN DE BALANDA
“ MY FATHER HAS ALWAYS COMMITTED HIMSELF BODY AND SOUL”
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A privileged witness to the career of Jehan Bertran de Balanda, his son Nicolas greatly admires the long list of achievements recorded by his patriarch in the annals of NH racing and the gallop. An anatomy of an imprint spanning nearly half a century, seen through the prism of legacy.
If there were one word, just one, to describe his father?“ Passionate,” answers Nicolas Bertran de Balanda, the younger son of the hero of this issue, without hesita- tion.“ He is someone who has always committed himself 200 %, body and soul. His temperament and that passion are the driving force behind his success, of which I am very proud. Having been a trainer myself, I am well placed to know that a race is never won in advance. He distinguished himself in NH racing, but also on the Flat with some very good horses. His longevity is all the more admirable.” Like father, like son: Jehan Bertran de Balanda naturally put young Nicolas“ very early” in the saddle.“ He was the one who put me on my first ponies and horses, who passed on the virus, encouraged me and taught me a lot. He guided me at the beginning. After that, I made my own way.” Gentleman rider, trainer, bloodstock agent, owner, breeder. A champion at Auteuil named Gemix, an Irish interlude at Tattersalls, a solid reputation under the commercial baner of NBB Racing … Nicolas Bertran de Balanda embodies a multi-faceted legacy.
“ The will to win and instinct” In this family of military officers, show-jumping stars and racecourse champions, honour is a duty long accustomed to being upheld. No doubt the reward for values such as high standards, a cardinal virtue flowing through the sap of the great Balanda family tree. In the words of the jockeys and trainers trained by his patriarch, two descriptions recur time and again:“ A tough boss, but a
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