ENGLISH TEXTS
the famous chariot races that took place in the heart of Rome the Colosseum. Names such as Diocles, Flavius Scorpus and Pompeius Musclosus won thousand of races as Charioteers, surviving what can only be described as beautiful brutatlity for both horse and jockey. Decades on, and times have changed because we are no longer behind horses but on top, and the sight for the eyes was different. No longer was it a stadium but a huge field that was to hold, the biggest race in the world, the Liverpool Grand National, born from the hunting sphere, it was a test over 4 and a half miles over huge fences, ditches and water jumps.
First run in 1839 it was held at Mersey side and involved one of the most difficult, stamina sapping test that a horse and jockey could take on, jumping 30 huge obstacles over two laps including the famous Beecher’ s brook. Year on year though aspects of the sport and race change, health and safety improved and became more to the fore of people’ s attention. In 2017 the Grand national became the richest jump race in the world with a total prize fund of 1 million pounds and many change had be done to make the race safer. Whether you agree or disagree in the changes made to the race it still is a very good spectacle. I believe however, there are 12 races, that can top it. I am talking about the 12 races that make
up the series known as the Crystal Cup. The European cross-country challenge for me holds 12 of the hardest tests both horse and jockey can face in these modern times. A series that covers the expanse of Europe from the banks race in Punchestown to the infamous Irish bank at Pau. From the green, rolling hills of Cheltenham to the hedges at the foothills of Merino. The series contains something for everyone to enjoy and here’ s a look back at the past series.
850 thousand euros were up for grabs across the series, and it began with a bang in Waregem, Belgium. Known as the Grand Steeplechase des Flandres the race also known as the Belgium grand national is held annually on the Tuesday after the last weekend in August after the Karmesse. It forms part of a one-day event following the traditional national festival and it the only day jumps racing is held in Belgium. It’ s a unique test for both horse and jockey as the race takes place over 4,600m with 25 obstacles including the famous and fearsome water jump. It also is very tight with the track turning right all the time so even the simple hedges are a tricky jumping test. Many moons ago in front of the grand stand was the Gaverbeek river which was jumped twice as part of the race just before the first bend. It was and still is the widest water jump in horse racing and is the tradition of the winning connections to jump in it after the race. In recent years Patrice Quinton has dominated the racing winning it a total of 10 times but in 2024 the win went to Placenet for French trainer David Cottin and British based owners Prof Caroline Tisdell and Geoff Thompson. Johnny Charron was the man on board, and he settled the horse just behind the leader and he jumped faultlessly throughout even taking on the bank with ease. Charron used all his experience as the oldest jockey in the race and nipped up the inside going into the final hurdle which is so valuable to win going away by 4 lengths.
Over to western France for the next race in the series to Craon, one of the biggest jumping tests any French track has to offer. A very different test to that in Belgium, as this race is over 6,000m and has 31 obstacles. Last year’ s edition had some returning favorites in the race with Bomari being the oldest contestant at 13 years old and having a fantastic record. First winning the race back in 2020 he then finished 2 nd in 2021 and 2022 before winning it for a second time in 2023. He was going for a third win but unseated along with two other favorites in the race Travel de Belair and Forza Conti. You would think this had opened the door to a young pretender like Sweet David the five-year-old having his first run in a Crystal Cup race, but he had to settle for 2 nd place. It was another vet-
# 10 156