Chappet: “I Cannot See That Racing Could Resume In Mid-April”

As France continues its lockdown due to the Coronavirus crisis, Chantilly-based trainer Fabrice Chappet was able to give an insight to the situation from the training ranks. He spoke with the TDN's Tom Frary about stable protocols, the probability of racing resume on schedule and some of the horses he is looking forward to in his yard when it does.

TF: What has been the affect of the lockdown on your day-to-day working situation?

FC: At this stage we have been blessed to be allowed to continue exercising our horses pretty much as normal. This is the most important thing to us and I hope it stays the same for all of the confinement period. Obviously the big difference is not going racing anymore, at a time when racing in Paris would normally be picking up in the build-up to the Classics.

TF: How are the staff coping with the lockdown?

FC: They have been very good, I must say. They all seem to count themselves lucky to be able to continue working rather than being locked indoors. We are enforcing strict preventative measures in accordance with official instructions–they have their temperature checked on arrival, are requested to sanitize hands and gear as often as possible, the breakfast room has been closed etc. But they are all coping happily and if there has to be a silver lining to this dreadful situation, punctuality has never been as good thanks to the closure of bars and night clubs!

TF: Can you see a return to racing in mid-April, or do you think it could last longer?

FC: I cannot see a single indication that racing could resume in mid-April. Government officials have already hinted that confinement measures will be extended beyond the initial 15-day period and all health experts seem to agree that the worst of the epidemic is still in front of us. I admire the early announcement to stage a Kentucky Derby week in September. This is the sort of decision that gives trainers enough visibility to work out a plan for their best horses. I hope European racing jurisdictions promptly follow suit and come up with a rescheduling of the Classics and group races.

TF: How have you had to change your exercising of the horses?

FC: The major difficulty is not knowing when racing will resume, as training is all about setting objectives for each horse and working backwards from there. It doesn't worry me so much with the 2-year-olds, as we are still building the foundations with them, but as I said the calendar of stakes races for the 3-year-old generation, most notably the Classics, has every chance of being impacted and we have no visibility at this stage.

TF: What are the horses you are most looking forward to when racing recommences?

FC: I am lucky to be training a very strong group of horses for a number of owners, most of whom have been with me for many years now. Among the older horses, [the Listed Prix Turenne winner] Skyward (Fr) (Camelot {GB}) and [the dual listed scorer and Jockey Club Derby third] San Huberto (Ire) (Speightstown) are two exciting stayers who could be aimed at the top races both in France and internationally. Our globe-trotting Group 1 winner Intellogent (Ire) (Intello {Ger}) has just been gelded and will be looking to resume over the summer. In the 3-year-old generation, we have a bunch of nice fillies who have shown ability and will be chasing black-type. [The listed-placed] Magic Attitude (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) and [the G3 Prix d'Aumale runner-up] Secret Time (Ger) (Camacho {GB}) were already stakes-placed as juveniles while Mageva (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Speak of the Devil (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Kraquante (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), Rolleville (Fr) (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}) and Precieuse's half-sister Porcelaine (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) have all won their maidens comfortably. In the colts' section, Pisanello (Ire) (Raven's Pass) stamped his Classic claims just before racing came on hold [when winning the Listed Prix Omnium II]. Celestin (Fr) (Dabirsim {Fr}) was an effortless listed winner [the Criterium de Languedoc] at two and has wintered extremely well. Instruit (GB) (Intello {Ger}) was beaten by a very good filly [Hilala (Toronado {Ire})] on his second start [at Deauville Feb. 29] and has come on for the run. Gold Trip (Fr) (Outstrip {GB}) narrowly failed to win his maiden last year, but he has matured into a magnificent individual and should make a nice 3-year-old.”