“Non Partant…..”
Which was not ideal. “Probably a non runner….”
Kenergy. A long way from home. An hour or two north of Paris. Compiegne Racecourse…
On the lorry on the way over, our cool racehorse slipped a hind shoe. A long way from his heart, and of no real moment, but sore enough for him to be marginally lame at the trot. Like you and I walking along the beach and standing on a stone…
The Farrier was not as early to the races as we had hoped. Gallic vets shaking heads…
Sophie dealing. Whilst I picked at my lunch in company with my great mate and Kenergy’s co-owner Mark Tracey. Ian Williams and his partner Elaine joining us. Paper white table cloths on wooden tables, functional chairs, plastic menu with three choices, the wine list even more limited – parfait et delicieux….
Resigned to the fact that we had come a long way just for lunch. Albeit delicieux…
But who knew that there was so much synergy between the Australian and French languages?? Sophie working her magic, Kenergy sound with his shoe back on, saddle grabbed from Alexis Pouchin, a game that seemed off was now back on…
To the starting stalls. The Gallic and the shrugging Vet pulling Kenergy away from the other runners. One more trot up. Sound as a pound through my binoculars. Thankfully, “sound as a pound” through the eyes of the Gallic…
After all that high drama and “non partant probable”, the race itself was a walk in a balmy provincial park. “Led from the start, upped the tempo off the home bend, pulled clear final furlong, never headed, easily…..”
Cool horse. Cool result. Fabulously beautiful racecourse. A celebratory glass (maybe more than one….?!). Rupert Pritchard Gordon up from Chantilly. Crispin de Mowbray too. Nicolas Clement and his recent co-licence holder Flo Hermans. Happy gathering in heatwave sunshine…
A day that took several twists and turns. That is the way of our world I guess. French racing such a huge part of our lives pre Brexit and Covid. A door that is now firmly pushed open again. By coincidence, Richard Gibson of Arqana, the primary French Sales company, with us shortly. French bred horses qualify for a significant Breeder’s Premium on top of prize money – Kenergy winning over €18,000 yesterday. Not many maiden winners take that home this side of La Manche…
#HaveHorseWillTravel…
One runner today. Dark Supremacy in a Sandown Maiden that looks hotter than any heatwave….
Prix De L’Abbaye Saint-Corneil…
https://pro.france-galop.com/EspacePro/Course/CourseDetailsPage?anneeCourse=2026&specialite=P&numProgramme=6066#
