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theirbedrooms, but their support is unwavering:“ My family is the source of my success. My mother, my sisters, and my brother give me so much. I love talking racing with them, whether they’ re knowledgeable or not. We all started from the very bottom, and I’ m incredibly proud of each of their achievements after a difficult childhood. My father was a great guy but had a problem with alcohol. It was hell, and I wouldn’ t wish on anyone what we lived through.” Consumed by addiction, his father Georges mainly saw his son competing in pony races, often under the colors of trotting trainer André Courcault, and then on racetracks in Western France, where Johnny spent many long years before reaching the heights at the temple of jump racing:“ There were many top jockeys who retired within a short period, Christophe Pieux, Benoît Gicquel, Jacques Ricou, Cyrille Gombeau, Laurent Métais, Philippe Chevalier, Bertrand Thellier, François Benech … They were all at the top of the bill, which meant I found myself riding more often, including for Philippe Peltier, like Miss de Champdoux. I didn’ t miss the opportunity with her and then kept working hard. Shining at the top level this late allows me to appreciate and savor it even more. I moved around a lot during my career. And being a bit outspoken hasn’ t always helped me. I don’ t like hiding things, I always say what I think.” A perfectionist, especially when it comes to schooling horses, Johnny Charron is undoubtedly a good guide for his son Liam, who closely follows his father’ s career:“ He lives three hours away, but I go see him very regularly.
Liam loves riding ponies. The best compliment I can give him is to say he rides like Félix de Giles. All the kids adore Félix( laughs)! As I explained to Liam, I want to finish the job properly, but my son doesn’ t want me to stop. Still, I would have retired if I had won the Prix La Haye Jousselin( Gr. 1) on Sel Jem. I love what I’ m doing now, riding for Guillaume Macaire, Daniela Mele and David Cottin, but keeping the weight is increasingly difficult for me. I do have another goal in mind, but first and foremost, I have clients I must respect.” Although he has eaten only one real meal a day for many years, this hard worker still has an appetite, and there is no doubt he will remain professional to the end, even if he increasingly thinks about hanging up his boots. When? Where? No one knows. But one thing is certain: this passionate man cannot imagine living far from horses.“ The job is complicated, but I dream of becoming a trainer.” Johnny Charron surely has the qualities to succeed in that role, but until then, let us fully enjoy his presence in the weighing rooms.
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HORS CHAMPS
LÉO-PAUL BRÉCHET
Winner of his second Group 1 during the French 48H de l’ Obstacle at Auteuil, Léo-Paul Bréchet is enjoying, at 22 years old, the best season of his career. The loyal partner of Leader Sport, crowned in the Prix Maurice Gillois( Gr. 1), agreed to take part in our Q & A for the final Hors-Champs of 2025. A horse Hurricane Fly. He knew the aim of the game was to win and he wanted to win with all his heart. So tough, so brave and he raged against the dying of the light as long as he could.
A HORSE Leader Sport
A RACECOURSE Auteuil
A RESTAURANT Le Bouillon Morny in Deauville
AN ARTIST Gilles Lellouche
A PLACE Mont-Saint-Michel
MU- SIQUE MAES- TRO!
BY SERGE OKEY
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Playlist 2025 at Full Gallop As Tom Cruise would say, putting music to each of the 24 highlights of this collector’ s issue was a true“ Mission Impossible.” Mea culpa if the result is a little quirky. Forever Young? Easy: Alphaville’ s gigantic hit, here in a“ mega party” mode by David Guetta. Romantic Warrior? A 70s jazz odyssey with Al Di Meola and Chick Corea. Without transition,
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