It's been a thoroughly international weekend at Craon for the first two days of les Trois Glorieuses, three days of Flat, Jump and trotting races that define the September calendar in les Provinces. English and Irish horses are slowly buy surely finding their way to this special part of France, where the horse is King.
Mayenne, in the west of France, is a region where horses abound, almost as commonplace as cattle. There are racecourses in alost every small town, and a well-populated training centre at Sennones, where Louisa Carberry, who won last year's Grand Steeplechase de Paris, trains.
Small surprise then that the three day fixture at Craon is well supported, with a good crowd often quite rare in French racing, and run by the dynamic Hugues Crosnier, President of the Societe des courses, and a former accomplished amateur himself.
The fixture appears to be en marche, as they say in French. Runners from Newmarket, Wexford and Wiltshire have graced the card, each extolling the virtues of a big galloping track with excellent grass cover, superb viewing, an effusive welcome, and compettiive racing.
Whilst Kevin Phillipart de Foy drew a blank in the Two Year Old listed race, the same was not so for Time Lock, a daughter of Frankel and part of Juddmonte Farms extensive empire, in the Listed Prix Dirickx - Grand Prix de Craon. the four year old has been running well in Group company and appreciated the drop in class with a smooth 2l win in this provincial Listed event, winning with something in hand under Mickael Barzalona.
Beckhampton has a long tradition of success for owner-breeders and the gallops above the yard that lead nearly to the Lansdown Monument have been graced by many a good horse.
For 40 years, Jeremy Tree held sway in one of Wiltshire's most prestigious training centres, joined in 1978 by Roger Charlton. For the past two years, son Harry has been on the licence too. Black type winners are a specialism for their breeders keen to enhance the reputation of their stock.
Later the same day, it was the turn of leading amateur rider Freddie Tett to fly the flag for Britain in the single steeplechase on Saturday's card. Tett is a regular in European Fegentri races, interspersing a career in property with riding around Europe, on this occasion for French trainer Yannick Fertillet. Yet even this seasoned pro of the amateur ranks would admit to a lucky break in this race.
Always handy, he was left in the lead when a loose horse took the race leader out wide as they turned left to cross the Route de Segre, three from home in the 3m Prix Osarus, a handicap. 10 year Old Buen Star appreciated the lower weight to win by a handy 6 1/2l.
It's a long trip from Wexford to Craon across two stretches of water, but the sporting owners behind Vital Island, Spring winner of the La Touche Cu at Punchestown, entered into the spirit with a bold entry in the Grand Cross de Craon, a stage in the international Crystal Cup race series.
Richard O'Keefe and rider Tiernan Power Roche had prepared their ground well, arriving on Thursday, but despite jumping economically mid-division for much of the race, the challenge died at the 16th where the gelding shed a plate, breaking it in two in the process, and he was pulled up at the 20th, ready to fight another day. The finisnh was fought out by Born To Be Queen from the Macaire stable, and Bomari, from the Menuet yard, the latter prevailing by 1 1/4l.
It's been a thoroughly international weekend at Craon for the first two days of les Trois Glorieuses, three days of Flat, Jump and trotting races that define the September calendar in les Provinces. English and Irish horses are slowly buy surely finding their way to this special part of France, where the horse is King.
Mayenne, in the west of France, is a region where horses abound, almost as commonplace as cattle. There are racecourses in alost every small town, and a well-populated training centre at Sennones, where Louisa Carberry, who won last year's Grand Steeplechase de Paris, trains.
Small surprise then that the three day fixture at Craon is well supported, with a good crowd often quite rare in French racing, and run by the dynamic Hugues Crosnier, President of the Societe des courses, and a former accomplished amateur himself.
The fixture appears to be en marche, as they say in French. Runners from Newmarket, Wexford and Wiltshire have graced the card, each extolling the virtues of a big galloping track with excellent grass cover, superb viewing, an effusive welcome, and compettiive racing.
Whilst Kevin Phillipart de Foy drew a blank in the Two Year Old listed race, the same was not so for Time Lock, a daughter of Frankel and part of Juddmonte Farms extensive empire, in the Listed Prix Dirickx - Grand Prix de Craon. the four year old has been running well in Group company and appreciated the drop in class with a smooth 2l win in this provincial Listed event, winning with something in hand under Mickael Barzalona.
Beckhampton has a long tradition of success for owner-breeders and the gallops above the yard that lead nearly to the Lansdown Monument have been graced by many a good horse.
For 40 years, Jeremy Tree held sway in one of Wiltshire's most prestigious training centres, joined in 1978 by Roger Charlton. For the past two years, son Harry has been on the licence too. Black type winners are a specialism for their breeders keen to enhance the reputation of their stock.
Later the same day, it was the turn of leading amateur rider Freddie Tett to fly the flag for Britain in the single steeplechase on Saturday's card. Tett is a regular in European Fegentri races, interspersing a career in property with riding around Europe, on this occasion for French trainer Yannick Fertillet. Yet even this seasoned pro of the amateur ranks would admit to a lucky break in this race.
Always handy, he was left in the lead when a loose horse took the race leader out wide as they turned left to cross the Route de Segre, three from home in the 3m Prix Osarus, a handicap. 10 year Old Buen Star appreciated the lower weight to win by a handy 6 1/2l.
It's a long trip from Wexford to Craon across two stretches of water, but the sporting owners behind Vital Island, Spring winner of the La Touche Cu at Punchestown, entered into the spirit with a bold entry in the Grand Cross de Craon, a stage in the international Crystal Cup race series.
Richard O'Keefe and rider Tiernan Power Roche had prepared their ground well, arriving on Thursday, but despite jumping economically mid-division for much of the race, the challenge died at the 16th where the gelding shed a plate, breaking it in two in the process, and he was pulled up at the 20th, ready to fight another day. The finisnh was fought out by Born To Be Queen from the Macaire stable, and Bomari, from the Menuet yard, the latter prevailing by 1 1/4l.
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