JAMES REVELEY’S THOROUGHBID BLOG: GRADE 1 WINNER IL EST FRANCAIS POSSIBLE BEST I’VE EVER RIDDEN
Nov 28, 2022
IL EST FRANCAIS, who won the Grade 1 Prix Renaud du Vivier at Auteuil on Sunday, is a fantastic horse to be associated with, and potentially the best I’ve ever ridden.
He’s got an enormous amount of class, is a picture to look at and has a good attitude – everything you want in a racehorse. He’s a proper stayer, but he’s had by far enough class and pace to win over hurdles too.
The dream is to have him as a Grand Steeplechase de Paris horse, and potentially a Gold Cup horse too in time. He’s only a four-year-old at the moment, though, so a Grand Steep might come a bit soon, but you never know.
The fact that race isn’t entirely out of the question for a horse that’s yet to jump a fence in public and will only be turning five next year shows how good we all think he is. If he can get some chasing experience in the spring, and everything goes well, then why not.
Boxing Day at Kempton being considered:
There’s a chance he could go to Kempton on Boxing Day for the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase, which would be really exciting, but no plans have been made yet. He’s such a good horse that nobody wants to be taking any risks with him, so he wouldn’t just go there for the sake of it, but he’s a top-class animal who would deserve the utmost respect wherever he goes next. He’s in good hands and I’m sure all the right decisions will be made.
Hurdles in France are basically mini open ditches, rather than the sort of hurdles you’re used to seeing in the UK, and he’s got a good style over them. He’s also schooled over some French-style fences at home, which he’s good over, and I can’t see why chasing in the UK would be a problem at all. He’s careful, he makes a nice shape, and he’s got plenty of scope.
Lots of credit has to go to Tom and Noel George. It’s fantastic for them to have a horse of this class in their stable and I’m really pleased for them. I’ve known Noel since he was working in Chantilly for Fabrice Chappet, and I’ve ridden a fair bit for Tom before too. Between them they’ve worked out which horses to keep in the UK and which horses are suited by the racing in France – they’re doing a brilliant job.
On Wednesday, I’ve got some good rides at Compiegne too.
MASTER NONANTAIS is a nice horse who should have a good chance in the G3 Prix Leopold D'Orsetti, while JANEIRO VERDE is definitely one to keep an eye on in the G3 Prix General De Saint-Didier.
Janeiro Verde won very easily last time, and he’s a nice, big scopey horse who’s by the same sire as Il Est Francais. I really like him, so fingers crossed.
Reigning French Champion Jockey James Reveley is sponsored by ThoroughBid, and also acts as a consignment agent for the online auction house.
ThoroughBid’s next sale takes place on Friday 16 December, with entries closing on Monday 5th December.