Horse racing followers in all places on the planet ought to know the title Francis-Henri Graffard.
The 48-year-old French coach will finish his profession in 2025, however on January 20, Calandagan was wrapped in an ideal ribbon when he was honored because the Longines World’s Greatest Racehorse. Moreover, his horse Dalis, winner of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, completed seventh in a three-way tie, making him the one coach to have two horses within the prime 9 of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
This place on the prime of the worldwide leaderboard is not any shock for a coach who developed a love of worldwide racing and the boldness to compete in it via Godolphin’s Flying Begin program.
“[Flying Start]uncovered me to races, massive conferences and necessary individuals all around the world,” the 2005 Flying Begin graduate stated on the Jan. 26 episode of the “Bloodhorse Monday” podcast. “As a coach, I’ve by no means fearful about working horses in Group 1 or Group 2 as a result of I have been uncovered to that and been on the rostrum in different roles. I am certain all of the expertise I’ve had thus far, and the worldwide expertise, has actually helped me in my future profession.”
Grauffard confirmed that confidence to a T in 2025, setting a single-season document for a French coach with 14 Grade/Group 1 wins. Graffard, who defended his house turf with 9 Group 1 wins in France, capped by Dallis’ Arc win, additionally went on to win on the prime degree in Germany, England and Japan, the place he rode Carandagan to change into the primary international winner of the Japan Cup in 20 years.
However one of many massive highlights of his season got here Nov. 1 at Del Mar, when Graufard earned his first Group 1 win in America and his first Breeders’ Cup World Championship win with Gezora on Maker’s Mark filly and mare turf.
Mr Gruffard praised the ambiance surrounding the Breeders’ Cup and stated the competitors was held on the excellent time of yr as European trainers usually end their seasons.
“The Breeders’ Cup does an important job of creating it an enormous and particular occasion,” Gruffard stated. “I am going to give it a shot (within the Breeders’ Cup races), so don’t fret.”
Gruffard’s American curiosity is not precisely in seizing one other Breeders’ Cup win. World-class jockey Ryan Moore sparked a little bit of Kentucky Derby fever in his coach throughout a dialog in Hong Kong in December. Whereas congratulating Mr. Gruffard on his success within the Japan Cup, Mr. Moore stated the 2 most tough races to win are the Japan Cup and the Kentucky Derby.
“Now I will search for grime horses as effectively. Hopefully sooner or later I can win a ‘massive horse’,” Reverend Gruffard stated. “Then I am going to come.”
Mr. Gruffard additionally expressed curiosity in preserving a fleet of horses in America throughout the summer time, focusing on competitors at racetracks like Saratoga and Kentucky Downs. In truth, Gruffard stated he plans to start out buying horses produced in Kentucky, particularly with Kentucky Downs in thoughts. Already boasting one of the crucial profitable horse races in America, Kentucky bloodline horses race at Kentucky Downs and 4 different tracks within the commonwealth for added bonuses via the Kentucky Thoroughbred Breeding Fund.
“I like horse racing in America, and I believe there are a number of alternatives, particularly on grass,” stated Reverend Gruffard. “I want just a little time to kind myself out, however I’m at all times occupied with getting a bunch of horses within the steady over there to compete within the meet at Saratoga. That’s my purpose, and it ought to be my purpose, as a result of I’ve an enormous yard.”
