re-entry to France

Before coming on down to Metairie for the first time since we left on June 28, which I was not looking forward to, I was able to spend 4 days with wonderfully supportive and hospitable Marion and Teresa ... and the horses. POLINA had been fourth at Graignes on July 21(Perle was second in the same race.)
She was going to race again at Bacqueville-en-Caux, near Dieppe, on Sunday. Before that PORTO was to race at Les Sables d'Olonne (4-5 hours drive each way) on Friday. He had drawn the outside on the gate (autostart) but Marion got him into the 1-1 round the first bend. Then the trailer galloped and the horse outside the leader moved in, leaving PORTO 'facing the breeze' for the rest of the journey (2650m). In the straight Marion wisely settled for fourth rather than risk the break which had happened the last two times.
Bacqueville-en Caux (possibly the worst track in France anyway according to a usually reliable source) turned out to be Bogville-en-Caux. POLINA was off 25m and a slip on the first bend meant the loss of another 25, and that was the difference between second and fifth, which was where she ended up. Still she ran another good race and her five starts since Evreux have produced 5 4 5 6 6. (Prince was fourth in his race.)
Despite the state of the track it was a fun day with the village choir performing church music as the entertainment and almost every van having to be pulled out of the mud by a tractor when attempting to leave (see pic above)

... and the horses?

Horses don't seem quite so important right now, but Marion and PORTO have raced valiantly on behalf of Hilary - first of all on the evening of the day she died (at Vincennes, Marion wearing a black armband) and on the day after funeral (at Enghien). Each time he was coming fast to take a major placing when he lost co-ordination and put in those few skips which are fatal in the French ligne droite. But we are confident this can be sorted and he will turn these performance into successes.
Marion, Teresa and Francoise (Marion's mother) came to the service in London and the following reception and Laura joined us from where she now lives near Reading (with Emma and Tim, the new owner of Quitus). Bernard and David were left behind to take Quitus to Cabourg for the last race of the night meeting. Laura joined us at Maryon Mews after the reception and to everyone's delight we were able to watch David lead all the way on Quitus. (Oh, Kurt!)


Driving all night Marion was back at Enghien next day to see Jean-Michel Bazire win the opening race with Querido (Marion wasn't sure he would make it). Two in a row!

By the way, Laura is very keen to come out to New Zealand when I come south in November, so I will be trying to ensure some trotting people get a chance to benefit from her expertise.

6 july 2007