By Gary King
On Monday, footballer Clément Lenglet sent out his 3-year-old colt Bois D'Argent (Toronado {Ire}) to an impressive debut win at Chantilly. A member of France's national team, he currently plays his club football for Barcelona and has two horses in training with Francis-Henri Graffard. Lenglet, who grew up about 40 minutes from Chantilly, is advised by French bloodstock consultant Ghislain Bozo. TDN's Gary King caught up with the centre-back after the win.
TDN: Could you describe how you developed your interest in horses and horse racing.
CL: My father went racing a lot, and used to take me with him. We went to the racetracks and bet a little bit. I developed a love for the sport and the animal. It came very naturally.
TDN: Why did you decide to get involved in ownership?
CL: I was introduced to Ghislain [Bozo] at the G1 Prix du Jockey Club. I was keen to get into racing and was looking for a credible agent and someone to help me.
We quickly went to the breeze-ups at Arqana and purchased a filly called Perle D'Ivoire (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}). She was second at Deauville last year and is back in training with Francis [Graffard] after a small set back.
TDN: Francis has had a lot of success as a trainer in a relatively short period of time. Is that what attracted you to employing his services?
CL: Ghislain introduced my father and I to three different trainers. We decided on Francis because we liked his sensibilities to horses, his professionalism, the way he kept his yard, and we had a good rapport with him.
TDN: Could you describe the feeling when Bois D'Argent won. Was it similar to winning a big soccer match?
CL: I had such positive emotion. It was my first victory ever in racing. But I love competition, so it's important for me to win. I must say that I never felt any pressure but made it clear that I wanted to win.
TDN: Are any of the other Barcelona players interested in racing?
CL: I received messages of support from Antoine Griezmann and Arturo Vidal, they congratulated me and are very excited.
TDN: What are your future plans for Bois D'Argent?
CL: I will discuss the horse's future career with Ghislain and Francis, but Francis will have the final decision. I would like to develop my stable in a clever and financially rational way over time. Maybe buy one or two well-bred fillies with Ghislain.
TDN: It's been a very uncertain time for everyone, how have you kept busy during the recent lockdown?
CL: We just had a baby two weeks ago, so I'm in a really positive mood.
With Barca, we had to train alone but stayed in touch with the club. We are all training together again now under strong protocols, but we are hoping to start back in competition in mid June.
5th-Chantilly, €20,000, Mdn, 5-18, 3yo, c/g, 10fT, 2:02.03, sf.
BOIS D'ARGENT (GB) (c, 3, Toronado {Ire}–Madonna Lily {Ire}, by Daylami {Ire}) raced in a handy fourth along the rail from the outset of this debut. Bustled along at the quarter-mile marker, the 9-10 pick was ridden into third entering the final furlong and kept on relentlessly under continued rousting to outpoint Lord Wellington (Fr) (War Command) by a short neck in the dying strides.
“Clement Lenglet is a new owner, born not far from Chantilly, and plays soccer for FC Barcelona and the France national team,” explained Ghislain Bozo. “He is also keen to increase his investment in racing. We bought this colt privately and made an offer to the breeder after he was a buy-back at the sales. He raced against horses that had experience and, although he didn't have the best of trips today, won in a very nice way. Pierre-Charles Boudot liked him and wanted to ride him and we think there is more improvement to come. We'll give him one more race and then we'll see if he's good enough for the French Derby.”
The July 5 G1 Prix du Jockey Club and Sept. 13 G1 Grand Prix de Paris entry is the latest of six foals and fourth scorer produced by a half-sister to GII Canadian S. victress Minakshi (Fr) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}). He is a half-brother to last year's G1 Prix de Diane third and last week's Listed Prix Zarkava winner Grand Glory (GB) (Olympic Glory {Ire}). Sales history: €16,000 RNA Ylg '18 AROCT. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €10,000. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
1ST-TIME STARTER. O-Ecurie Lenglet; B-Elevage Haras de Bourgeauville (GB); T-Francis-Henri Graffard.
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