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Tomorrow (Thursday) sees the incredible Anjou Loire Challenge at Le Lion D’Angers in northern France. Believed to be the longest race in the world (4m 5f), the horses must navigate an amazing 48 obstacles including the Piano, the steepest descent in racing. Banks, drops, climbs, lakes – the Anjou Loire Challenge has it all!
Since its inception a few years ago, no British or Irish horse has ever competed in the race. This all changes tomorrow however as the Suzy Smith trained Pass Me By and Denis Murphys Another Jewel represent Britain and Ireland respectively.
Incase you’re wondering what all the fuss is about, this race is the second richest cross country race in Europe behind the Velka Pardubicka, with prize money of 112,000 Euros. The official website is at http://www.coursesdulion.com/anjouloire … /index.htm and if you click on the video link, (make sure you click on ‘Anjou Loire Challenge’ or you’ll get a pony race!!), you can see all of last years renewal.
I’ll be interested to se how Another Jewel gets on. Backed him at Cheltenham…quite a young horse, isn’t he?
Well, can you believe it, Another Jewel (he’s an 8 year old) has won – and I can hardly believe I’m saying this, he was 84-1!!!!!!
This race was part of the Crystal Cup competition, so maybe the horse will line up in the Velka Pardubicka in October. On this form, he must have a chance.
Wow; I’ve had a gut feeling that this horse could be a bit special, but didn’t expect this. Think someone else on the forum mentioned him before Cheltenham as one to watch out for, but not sure who that was.
If anyone has a link to a video of todays race that would be great would love to see it. Thanks
The link is last years race still. I remember it was uploaded about a week after the race last year.
Despite the 112,000 Europe prize money and the fact it’s the longet race in the world, TV coverage is pretty much non-existant – there is just the course footage. In 2008, Equidia did a quick resume with about 2 minutes of footage, but that only included a few seconds of race footage – you can see it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYgfJn1p1Bc
Best thing to do is to check the Anjou Loire Challenge website every other day or so, and hopefully it will be uploaded soon.
Well, can you believe it, this incredible race is now online:
http://www.lescourseshippiquesregionale … chaine=141
I’ve lost count of the number of obstacles, but apparently it’s 51 altogether. The Piano, probably the worlds steepest descent, comes up quite early (they also ascend it later on), and there are fun and games in the lake (5:55). When asked to describe the race by someone once, I told them to imagine a cross between the Velka Pardubicka and It’s a Knockout! Throw in the shoutiest, most excitable commentator you’ve ever heard (he makes John Hunt sound like Whispering Ted Lowe!), and you’ve got the ingredients for a unique sporting event – and well done Another Jewel and John Cullen!! (By the way, the correct price on the PMU was 10.2-1).
Crikey; he didn’t breathe for 10 minutes! There were a lot more fallers this year than last. They weren’t hanging about, were they.
Crikey; he didn’t breathe for 10 minutes! There were a lot more fallers this year than last. They weren’t hanging about, were they.
If he can speak English should we not get him for Aintree or even better, can you imagine him calling the entire Gold Cup. Great bloke, great race, must go some time.
Gallant effort from Another Jewel to follow up his win in the Prix Anjou-Loire Challenge, but in the end second place had to suffice in the Grand Cross Country of Craon the weekend before last.
Enough to secure him the lead in the "Crystal Cup" European cross-country championship standings, though, with more legs to come around Cheltenham, Pardubicka and elsewhere.
Next stop: Merano in Italy this Sunday for the Crosse delle Nazioni (Grand Cross). Another Jewel is one of 12 still entered at this stage.
gc
Adoptive father of two. The patron saint of lower-grade fare. A gently critical friend of point-to-pointing. Kindness is a political act.
Fantastic horse; on his way to being one of my favourites. Would love to cheer him on in Czecheslovakia
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