ENGLISH TEXTS
years, the rankings have been calculated from 1 March to 30 October, rather than over the calendar year. And while this decision may have surprised some at the time, this year brought a different surprise: for the first time, an Italian jockey has claimed the title. With 180 wins to his name, Cristian Demuro steps onto the top step of the podium ahead of Maxime Guyon, who takes his ninth Silver Whip with 167 victories- already a fourtime Golden Whip winner- and Mickaël Barzalona, who had just secured his first Arc a few days earlier and the Japan Cup since, finishing only three wins behind. Among the women, the battle is once again fierce between Marie Velon and Delphine Santiago, as X victories separate them at the time of writing.
5-MINUTE LEGEND In the jumping division, a little less than a month of competition remains, with the Pau and Cagnes-sur-Mer meetings still potentially decisive. The youngest of the Zuliani family, Lucas, enjoying the best season of his career, may well secure his first Golden Whip and follow in the footsteps of his brother Angelo.
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BY KARISMA CONSULTING
MERRY XMAS!
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CHRO- NICLES OF THE WORLD
Katherine Ford- UK Passionate about racing, Katherine left her native Yorkshire to spend six months in France in the early 2000s... and almost 25 years later, she is still there. Now a freelance journalist and translator, she has discovered and introduced racecourses around the world for Equidia, and regularly presents French racing on Sky Sports Racing. She is also a breeder and owner of Thoroughbreds.
Igor de Maack- Global Economy Associate director at the wealth management firm Vitalepargne, Igor de Maack is a reference in financial market analysis. He has also invested in horses( Écurie Nininoé) out of passion, thanks to his friendship with Fabien Rycroft( Écurie Elag). Initially active in harness racing, he has diversified into flat racing, notably with horses such as Lindy and Onesto.
Vicki Gibbins- Ireland + Sales As Managing Editor of LAB Racing, Vicki Gibbins has a vast knowledge and experience of racing and the wider equestrian world. With a background specialising in bloodstock, her writing can been read in a number of publications globally, including International Thoroughbred,
Racing & Sports. Vicki also represents Trackside – an on-course paddock analysis service used by Weatherbys and various other customers – and is responsible for the publication of L ' informateur.
UK
POSTCARD FROM TOKYO
BY KATHERINE FORD
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It’ s a special day: Mount Fuji has emerged from its blanket of clouds and watches over the Tokyo Racecourse. Hundreds of enthusiasts spent the night in the long corridor leading to the entrance of the Fuchu racecourse in the outskirts of the capital. Equipped with“ bento”-style snacks, plush toys of their equine idols, and of course the specialized newspapers offering an astounding amount of information, they rush in as soon as the gates open to secure the best spot near the winning post. They are part of the 77,029 paying entrants( 1,000 yen, about € 5.50) who fill the eight-story grandstand, crowd around the parade ring, relax in the Japanese garden, enjoy the children’ s amusement park at the center of the track, or refine their racing culture in the museum. There truly is something for everyone. Including, of course, food: ramen noodles, yakitori skewers, Japanese curry, there is even an American-inspired“ Belmont” restaurant. People come as couples, families or friends, settling in the stands or on a mat on the ground in front of the track to enjoy their meal
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