Claire wins at Vincennes

And great to be there!

Finishes at Le Croise Laroche

and the wining team: Clara with Laura, Marion and Crin Noir

Caduceus wins on debut

Full video here

Clip

Amazing night at Le Croise Laroche

First up Claire is second by inches in the fillies race from 14 on the second line. I meter after post she was in front. Rates 16.4 for the 1900 autostart. Then Crin Noir, drawn 1 runs away from the field in the colts equivalent, rating 15.4 (mile rate 2.1.3). Bravo the team!

first sign of spring...

Ulster's 4 in a row

Where are the others?

TROTBritain

One of the reasons for being busy is the renaissance of TROTBritain (of which I have been Chair since 9/11/93 some clearing up of files revealed!) It is based on our agreement with Le Trot (i.e. Cheval Francais) to sponsor races for Trotteur Francais for three years and for them to arrange a sale of horses to provide the fields. So several of us did a tour de france to see those put forward by their owners and selected 29 horses for the 29 people who had put their 2500 euros for a horse in to the hat. They then drew a horse by lot from those we had selected. Anyway you can read more by delving back into the posts on the TROTBritain Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/TROTBritain/110523435625479 I'm not a great fan of FB but it seems to to be the best way to get in touch with the harness racing community.

Update

It's been a busy year and the blog has suffered, but Ulster winning yesterday is a good stimulus to update. Here's the link to the video and if after watching him win you click race 6 at top you will see Vogue finish 6th (3rd with more luck!) http://www.courseschevaux.fr/videos/viewer2.php?id=85660&hid=712&date=2014-08-24 And here is a log on the year so far.

Amelie is good! Followed up this win at Amiens with a close second at Vincennes.

Found in Teresa'a archives!

The Ds are now yearlings.. great on paper!

Update late 2013

Much has happened so I will add bits and pieces over next few days. First the big event of the year. Bernard resumes after 9 years, Cheval Francais having amended its ageist ways. And resumes successsfully with Ulster, who subseqently had a second and another win.

His recent starts:

More recently Vanina, also by Orlando, became his first winner at Vincennes. Driven by Franck Nivard (best or second best in France depending on your view.

The yearling colts who will turn 2 on Jan 1 are coming to the end of their early work. The Sierra (Calicot.. we asked for Cavendish but gor this!) looks most promising. The Festina (Caduceus) is a laid back (lazy)'cool dude', like Orlando, so hope he wakes up at the track like his dad did. Needs to if he is to live up to his famous namesake. The fillies including the Polina (Claire) are being brought in this week. Pedigrees for the record (and my memory!)

Asa result of recent wheelings and dealings I have acquired Vogue du Carbonel.

Bacchus had a big scare after qualifying but is fine again after being gelded.

Update at end of 2012

After some interesting runs Underland has been sold, following All Black so we are down to Ulster at the moment. He is fine and will resume in February with the aim to have a busy summer. Meanwhile Bacchus (top) is looking promising and the 3 foals are developing well in the field (middle). Claire (Polina) and Cavendish (Festina) close up (bottom).

The hippodromes of Ulster des Baux

Click on View Larger Map and wait briefly for map of whole of France to appear. Click on individual pins for details

Ulster's record to 240612

Ulster at Beaumont de Lomagne 240612

Justifies 8 hour travel each way!

Underland wins at Arras 28 May 2012

3 lovely foals (1 girl 2 boys) in last four days - what a week!

Claire des Baux (Nectar -Polina des Baux)

Cavendish des Baux (Mach Speed - Festina des Baux)

Caduceus des Baux (Querido des Baux - Sierra des Baux)

Ulster at Agen 150412

Never further back than second and came away impressively, non?. Following a 3rd at Caen when I was there.
Underland resumed with an 8th at Bihorel. And Polina has had a big filly by Nectar on Friday 13th.. Chance des Baux?? Will see what Sierra and Festina produce, because I would like a Claire des Baux.

d'arcy ... and lucie down under

Kurt reports from Motukarara
D'Arcy at the trials. Got away, trailed (second in pic), was 'going to win for fun' [trainer Murray Edmonds] and galloped for half a dozen strides when he was pulled out on the turn... Cruised in 2nd beaten 5 lgths with the rest nowhere .. s .. Lucie to workouts soon .. 1 1/2m in 2.25 this week...