Hello everyone.
Last week's scheduled Saturday race at Kyoto Racecourse was canceled due to heavy snowfall and was held on Monday instead. Snow also fell heavily in Shiga Prefecture, where I live, and horses could be seen training in the snow that morning. I'd like to express my sincere gratitude to all those involved in the races, who work in the bitter cold. When I asked Christophe what happens in French horse racing when snow or weather changes occur, he said, "Even local racecourses in France have had races canceled due to snow. Other times, races have been delayed due to poor visibility caused by fog." In Japan, public transportation is often suspended. Especially during unsettled winter weather, people often check online for transportation options from home to the racecourse. "I had heard that the highways would be unavailable, but fortunately, the Shinkansen to Tokyo was not affected this time. When I'm worried about the weather, I always have enough time to make it to the training room," he said, apparently traveling by train to the racecourse safely.
The highlight of Saturday's Tokyo Racecourse was undoubtedly the stunning performance of Almond Eye's son, Aron's Rod. Aron's Rod was the favorite, drawing thunderous cheers from the crowd as he crossed the finish line in first place. "It was his first race of the year, and it had been a while since he'd last raced, so he was a little overweight, weighing in at 12kg. The distance was short, so he wasn't able to win, but this time he was in great shape, and he was able to win at the perfect distance of 2,400 meters. I could hear the excitement of the fans when he crossed the finish line," he recalled. He added, "He shares many similarities with Almond Eye, and his dynamic, powerful running style from the shoulders reminds me of his mother's. He also shares a very positive attitude toward the race, and a determined attitude of running diligently until the end." Riding Almond Eye's offspring was a special experience for the jockey, and he seemed excited to ride his sibling, who will soon be making his debut.
Last week, His Highness the Aga Khan, who made a great contribution to the French horse racing world, passed away. Christophe paid tribute to him on his official Instagram account. His Highness was the spiritual leader of the 12 million Ismaili Muslims around the world. His influence was so great that some people would visit the racecourse just to meet him. His notable horses include Shargar, Cinder, Zarkava, and Darakani, and he won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe four times.
Christophe was contracted as His Highness the Aga Khan's personal jockey from 2009 to 2013, winning several Grade 1 races with Sarafina. "In addition to riding in races, I had many meetings with His Highness. He would also visit Shanti's training facility to watch the horses' final workouts before major races. He was a true gentleman, and I was impressed by how attentively he listened when I spoke to him about the horses' condition after races. He utilized the horse characteristics he learned from the stable staff and reflected them in the farm's production," he said. His racing uniform, with its green background and red epaulettes, was passed down from previous generations and had a history of over 100 years. We offer our heartfelt condolences.
In the previous blog, we introduced his ride in the Indian Derby. He took on Psychic Star and finished in 14th place. Christophe reflected, "I was happy to be able to ride in India again. I'm grateful to everyone who welcomed me so warmly, and I also enjoyed the Indian food." After riding in Japan for a while, he plans to travel overseas to Saudi Arabia. "I appreciate your continued support!" he said enthusiastically.
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