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The Scottish NH followers on here might be interested to know that Pauline Robson is sending Upsilon Bleu from her Northumberland base to contest a conditions hurdle at Auteuil tomorrow (Monday Dec 1st).
So far as I can trace, it’s her first foray into French racing, although owner Raymond Anderson Green has had a few horses trained in France in recent years.
The race is limited to horses that haven’t won a decent prize over hurdles this year, which has ensured that Upsilon Bleu meets rivals mainly rated about a stone below his best UK form. The exception is a formerly very useful hurdler called Grand D’Auteuil, who won the premier French 4-y-old championship race in 2011, but hasn’t raced since March 2012.
The Prix De Paiute, run over 3900 metres, first prize approx 23,000 euros, is due off at 1:50 GMT.
What’s the best way to bet on these races? Looks like a choice between UK bookmakers, exchanges and PMU copycats with lower takeouts. But not sure about liquidity.
Alan, you know what the funniest thing about France is?
It’s the little differences. A lotta the same **** we got here, they got there, but there they’re a little different.
Alright, when you’re at the track in Auteil, you can buy beer. And I don’t mean in a plastic glass either. They give you a glass of beer. And in Paris, you can buy beer at the local PMU outlet. And you know what they call a Pentafecta with a Numero Plus in Paris? They call it a Quinte Plus? You ask for a Pentafetca there and they don’t know what it means!
And you know what they put in Monday hurdles races in France instead of Tommo’s commentaries? Runners and prize money…and non-dolled off hurdles! I seen ’em do it man, they ******’ drown ’em in it.
Sadly, the French timing syetem means they’ve put the Qunite+ on their 1.50 not ours. Anyways, singles are simples, so I think I’ll do one of those on said beast.
Not to mention a nine race card with only two handicaps – and they’re just two divisions of the same race.
And there won’t be twenty non runners announced tomorrow morning.
Plus free coverage online if you know where to look, with no presenters and no pundits, just the pictures and the commentary.
No ground under repair, no waterlogged take-offs or landings, no low sun, no ambulance gone to the hospital, no waiting for the Irish race to finish, no horses lining up half a mile from the start and walking forward at 2 mph – just jump racing as it used to be.
You can see why UK bookmakers want nothing to do with it.
And the prize money. 25,000 euros for a Deauville all weather 2yo maiden versus £4,500 or thereabouts at Wolverhampton for similar race type.
Not surprised Upsilon Bleu’s owner has seen the light.
Some turfistes just sighted lingering with intent near the Auteil betting windows. #TeamPotts
[attachment=0:1v2170tu]teampotts4.JPG[/attachment:1v2170tu]
Upsilon Bleu made most, headed on the home turn, but got back up to win by about a neck in a slog up the run-in.
The former champion, Grand D’Auteuil, given a quiet ride at the back and stayed on to finish fifth.
I didn’t have a bet, but admired the placing and was pleased to see the enterprise rewarded. More and more UK trainers are taking the opportunity to run in France, made easier now by the fact that they can make entries through the same website they use for UK races.
My favourite example this year involves a horse called Skaters Waltz, trained by Paul Cole. After struggling in handicaps here off marks over 80, he was sent three times to France to contest 3-y-old only claimers, winning twice and second in the other. Those runs earned him 28,000 euros in prize money and after the second win, he was claimed by a French owner for 32,000 euros.
I suspect Mr Cole and his owner were pleased with that outcome, but the new connections might have got the best of the deal. Skaters Waltz had his first run for them in a mile handicap on Arc day at Longchamp, won by three and half lengths and repaid their claim in one hit with 32,900 euros prize money.
Any recommendations for French based NH trainers?
Key criteria being decent win strike rate, experience of UK owners, and good track record of finding value for money purchases. Any website links appreciated.
Any recommendations for French based NH trainers?
Key criteria being decent win strike rate, experience of UK owners, and good track record of finding value for money purchases. Any website links appreciated.
Try Ferdi Murphy he has just moved out there. (look at France Gallop).
Any recommendations for French based NH trainers?
Key criteria being decent win strike rate, experience of UK owners, and good track record of finding value for money purchases. Any website links appreciated.
Try Ferdi Murphy he has just moved out there. (look at France Gallop).
Thanks for suggesting Ferdy. Tbh I would rather venture elsewhere.
Obi,
No personal experience of French trainers, but you could contact one or more of the bloodstock agents that regularly buy NH horses from France.
Highflyer would be the obvious ones, Tom Malone another, or for a French input, Guy Petit, who buys most of the French horses that end up with Venetia Williams.
Should be easy enough to find email addresses for all of those on their websites.
Obi,
No personal experience of French trainers, but you could contact one or more of the bloodstock agents that regularly buy NH horses from France.
Highflyer would be the obvious ones, Tom Malone another, or for a French input, Guy Petit, who buys most of the French horses that end up with Venetia Williams.
Should be easy enough to find email addresses for all of those on their websites.
Thanks Alan – Indeed Guy Petit was on my radar and one or two other local agents.
As an aside I’ve always been a little curious why neither Venetia Williams nor Nicky Henderson have websites showing off their yards. To be fair Venetia does have a site but it is limited to one page! In this day and age I’m surprised neither have decent websites given both come across as fairly good communicators and media savvy.
Obi,
No personal experience of French trainers, but you could contact one or more of the bloodstock agents that regularly buy NH horses from France.
Highflyer would be the obvious ones, Tom Malone another, or for a French input, Guy Petit, who buys most of the French horses that end up with Venetia Williams.
Should be easy enough to find email addresses for all of those on their websites.
Thanks Alan – Indeed Guy Petit was on my radar and one or two other local agents.
As an aside I’ve always been a little curious why neither Venetia Williams nor Nicky Henderson have websites showing off their yards. To be fair Venetia does have a site but it is limited to one page! In this day and age I’m surprised neither have decent websites given both come across as fairly good communicators and media savvy.
Oasis if you are serious a about buying a horse to race in France, I would recommend making a short list of trainers and visiting their yards. Explain what it is you want to achieve, listen to their views and who they recommend to buy a horse. Francois Cottin’s father has sourced some superb horses, I will mention no names but listed class UK. Masons Lafitte and Chantilly are two areas with many NH trainers, not cheap, you will be running Paris tracks. Otherwise Etienne Leenders further south would be a good contact also. They will make you very welcome and you will learn a lot.
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