ENGLISH TEXTS
blast when you’ re young in Los Angeles during the’ 70s and’ 80s …” he says with a smile, remembering those days. During that American period, he won the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Mile and returned to England in 1989, building the record and reputation he holds today: over 100 Group 1 wins including two Derbies, three Prix de l’ Arc de Triomphe, one Saudi Cup, three Dubai Sheema Classics and a Breeders’ Cup Classic. In 2017, he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to horse racing.
Father and Son“ I’ m lucky to have a son, Thaddeus, who’ s very motivated,” said John Gosden in 2021 when Thady officially became co-trainer alongside him.“ Thady spent several summers at the yard during his studies. He spent time in the U. S. with Bob Baffert, in Ireland with Joseph O’ Brien and in Australia with David Hayes before university. He’ s been my assistant for five years. He’ s ready to take over, but I’ m not looking to retire just yet!” Thady, who was 25 when he formalized his role at Clarehaven Stables, explained:“ Growing up between Newmarket and Manton, I always knew I wanted to be a trainer.” He recalls tirelessly mucking out boxes during his“ internship” in Australia, but his love for thoroughbreds remained intact despite the chores:“ They’ re very special animals, almost unique. They’ re individuals, each with their own personality, and you learn to know them.” Thady proved his worth during the difficult Covid period, accompanying Mishriff during a campaign that saw him shine in the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club( Gr. 1) at three, and achieve an unprecedented Saudi Cup on dirt – Dubai Sheema Classic on turf double just a month apart the following spring, all while travel restrictions were still in place. Due to Covid-related delays, Thady’ s name wasn’ t yet on the license for those Group 1 victories, but the partnership was firmly in place to kick off the 2021 British turf season. As his father envisioned,“ it was just a matter of making official what was already happening,” and the victories continued to roll in, along with a first joint title as Royal Ascot’ s leading trainers. Four years later, Thady and John stood atop the podium once again at this prestigious international meeting.
A strong team“ We’ re thrilled. The week started well with wins in the key races. The whole team worked hard to have the horses in top condition. Thady’ s been putting up with me for about eight years now. For him, it must get a bit repetitive, but without him I wouldn’ t have such a good handle on things. We make a great team.”“ Of course, our working relationship is a bit different because we’ re family.
We’ re lucky to have a great team, with people who have worked with John for years, and it’ s a real pleasure to collaborate together.” Like father, like son- both Gosdens deflect praise and attention toward the yard as a whole. Completely in control.
� PAGE 26
JOCKEY
BACK TO THE ARTICLE �
By Paul Casabianca
CRISTIAN DEMURO:“ IF I AM WHERE I AM TODAY, IT’ S THANKS TO HIM”
As he approaches his 33 rd birthday, the Italian jockey, who arrived in France in 2013, currently tops the rankings for the Cravache d’ Or( Golden Whip). Thanks to his talent, a bit of luck, and some key encounters too...
People often say that in life, there are no coincidences, only appointments. Whether or not this quote, sometimes attributed to Paul Eluard, resonates with Italian jockey Cristian Demuro is unclear. He arrived in France in the summer of 2013 as an unknown, quite unexpectedly, following a chance encounter— an appointment, you might say:“ At the time, I was
# 10 130