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Statistic Of The Week of French Racing News - 26th March 2021.
We examine the seventh All-Weather (AW) Championship with the final taking place next Friday (2 April) at Lingfield Park (UK). French trained horses have had notable success since the meetings' inception, so it is worth looking back at former French success stories including an historic three timer for France on the 2018 Finals day.
There have been French victories from trainer Stephane Wattel and jockey Theo Bachelot winning with City Light, Joel Boisnard and Theo Bachelot combining to score with Lucky Team. Finally, Christophe Ferland and Maxime Guyon with Funny Kid.
Invincible Spirit was the champion sire in the first two seasons of the series with 41 wins and then 34 victories in the respective Championships.
Horses highlighted in blue either had a connection to France before or after winning the All-Weather championship.
Those highlighted in green were French trained All-Weather champions.
French connections
Litigant – Changed stables after the 2013-14 season and in 2016 finished downfield in the Saint Cloud G1 Prix Royal-Oak (3200m) and in the Lyon-Parilly Listed Du Grand Camp (2200m) both in Autumn 2016.
Lightscameraction – Before his AW championship win in 2015, UK based trainer Gay Kelleway travelled Lightscameraction to Deauville for his second career start where he finished fourth in the Listed Vallee D'auge (1000m) on turf. Later in 2014, he produced a good second at Chantilly in the Usages Stakes (1000m) again on turf.
Grey Mirage – Moved stables to race in France since 2017 until 2019.
Fresles – French trained winner in 2015 from the Pia Brandt yard. A multiple Deauville winner including the AW Listed Miss Satamixa (1500m).
Sovereign Debt – Another Gay Kelleway trained AW Champion having run with promise in France before his Lingfield success. He posted a fair fifith in the Saint Cloud G2 Du Muguet (1600m) May 2016 and a good second in the Deauville AW Listed Prix Luthier (1500m) in December 2016.
Corinthia Knight – The UK based Archie Watson trained gelding had a winning prep race for the 2018 Three-Year-Old title when successful in the Chantilly AW Listed Prix Montenica (1300m) in March 2018.
Funny Kid – Trained at La Teste by Christophe Ferland, this now seven-year-old was placed twice in last campaign's Fast Track qualifiers and is a multiple winner in France including the Chantilly Listed Prix la Moskowa (3000m) on turf.
Heavenly Holly – UK trainer Hugo Palmer travelled this filly to Deauville for her prep outing ahead of her championship victory when fifth in the Deauville AW Listed Prix Miss Satamixa (1400m).
