By Kelsey Riley
European Exports is a series where TDN International Editor Kelsey Riley catches up with people who have left their home countries to make a new life in the racing industry in America. Today, we speak with Romain Malhouitre of Runnymede Farm.
KR: Where are you originally from?
RM: I am from a city in Normandy, France, called Rouen, it's on the north side of Normandy, probably 60 miles away from Deauville. It's a lovely medieval town.
KR: When did you come to America, and why did you decide to go there?
RM: I came around 15 years ago. I was working in Ireland with Jim Ryan of Milltown Stud; that was my first job in the Thoroughbred business. As a young man, I wanted to travel, so I asked Jim, 'What should be my next move?' We had the discussion in October, and he said, 'Romain, you should go to America. I am going for the sales over there, let me see what kind of jobs are available over there, and I'll get back to you.' The O'Callaghan family was starting Woods Edge in Kentucky at the time, so Jim advised me to go with them.
I arrived in America on Feb. 6. I don't remember the year but I remember that it was Feb. 6, and I never came back.”
KR: What do you miss about France?
RM: I've been gone for so long, I'm not 100% sure what I miss about France. I've become quite American, but if you reflect a little bit, what I probably miss most is a cliche, but it's the joie de vivre of French people. People in France have a very good ability to reflect on life, and making sure that life doesn't go too fast for them. They always reflect on what is right, and what is wrong.
KR: What could American racing learn from French racing?
RM: I probably would like to see more handicap racing in America and fewer claiming races. The reason is I truly believe that when a trainer has a handicap horse, and he's not at risk to lose the horse through claiming races, he could have a better plan long-term plan for the horse. And the horse has to come first; if we could have more handicap races here, I think the care of the horse would be better for it.
KR: Vice-versa, what could French racing learn from America?
RM: I would love to see French racing open itself to a bigger base of people, having more people on regular days at Longchamp in Paris would be one of the first things they should try to do.
KR: Outside of the Thoroughbred industry, what do you enjoy about life in America?
RM: I see America as a land of opportunity, and people in America are always ready to give you a chance. If you are a hard-working man, there is always room. The people here are willing to give you as much as you want. And for all of us immigrants from small countries, it's a great thing to have that ability, to have the trust from the American people to give you the opportunity you may not have at home.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
