1960! It was the year of the last victory of a horse trained in France at Sandown Park (England) in the Eclipse Stakes, a Group I in which champions such as Sea The Stars Or other Enable. Vadeni, which represents the famous casaque of the Aga Khan family, therefore entered history by beating the islanders, masterfully ridden by Christophe Soumillon (41 years old).
Winner of the Jockey Club on June 12, the protege of Jean-Claude Rouget faced his elders for the first time and now sits at the top of Europe. “I was really confident and I even came a little early as he accelerated well, reacted Christophe Soumillon at the microphone of ITV Racing. In the last 100 meters he stumbled, so I was not sure of winning anymore, because he lost his balance a bit. He knew how to recover, and that is the hallmark of champions. »
“By far the best and for a long time”
On social networks, Internet users were unanimous about the Belgian’s jockey: “as in Chantilly, the best jockey won”, “it’s by far the best and for a long time”, ” Vadeni is a champion but not sure that he would have won without Soumillon”, could we read here and there. Unfortunately, the race marshals suspended him for twelve days for having embarrassed two of his opponents while celebrating his victory… after the post!
Never mind, the main thing was done to the delight of Jean-Claude Rouget, who talks about the future of his champion: “It’s always something special for us to win in England or Ireland, because it is very difficult. Vadeni showed his talent again this Saturday. Now, his next goal will be at Leopardstown (Ireland) in the Irish Stakes. As the race will only take place in September, he should run the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano in mid-August at Deauville. »
