By J.N. Campbell
DEL MAR, California–History can be a sprint from one anachronism to the next, but every now and then it hands us spectators something unique across generations. You know, one of those full circle moments where we can witness a learner transforming into a future master.
A little over 40 years ago at the inaugural Breeders' Cup World Championships hosted by Hollywood Park, Monsieur Alain de Royer-Dupre saddled Lashkari (GB) (Mill Reef) for His Highness The Aga Khan. The 3-year-old took home the very first Breeders' Cup Turf, which was one of many important international races the legendary French trainer collected over the course of his illustrious career.
The expert horseman, who competed in dressage at the Grand Prix level before turning to Thoroughbreds, became the principal trainer for His Highness in the early 1980s. Not only was he a master in his own right, but he also influenced the next generation of would-be trainers.
One of the seeds he planted was in the Kentucky-based Rodolphe Brisset. As a teenager some twenty years ago the young man was offered a position as an exercise rider in Dupre's French yard. Instead of being a job, it turned into an education that has stuck with Brisset to this day.
“When Monsieur Dupre saw me up on one of his horses for the first time he called me over and told me with this calm voice, 'I thought you knew how to ride?'” said Brisset. “He told me, 'You've got much more to learn' and of course he was right.”
And so began a new branch in the future training career of the Frenchman from Lyon.
It was a journey which would include 12 years on the staff of Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott where he learned from another master who is currently tied for third place with Todd Pletcher (15) when it comes to all-time Breeders' Cup wins. When Brisset left Mott, a couple of stints followed as WinStar Farm's trainer.
Now a proud United States citizen with a family and a farm in Kentucky, Brisset is completely out on his own. He keeps a string of about 40-50 head and enters primarily on the Bluegrass circuit from early April through December.
Chief among the members of his shedrow is Mullikin (Violence–Tulira's Star, by Congrats), who captured the GI Forego Stakes at Saratoga Aug. 24. The victory handed Brisset his first top level race as a trainer. Ever the balanced manager of expectations, he said the milestone was not lost on him, but there is always more planning ahead.
Mullikin (outside) working last week at Keeneland | Sara Gordon
“I'm always low key, I have the experience and know that being overly-confident never works,” he said. “We had a job to do, of course it was exciting and Flavien [Prat] gave us a great ride too.”
The colt came out of the race in fine shape and Brisset, along with the ownership group of WinStar and Siena Farm, always knew that the big target would be the GI Cygames Breeders' Cup Sprint at Del Mar Nov. 2.
“We contemplated running him back in a spot like the [GIII] Vosburgh Stakes at Aqueduct in late September or the [GII Stoll Keenon Ogden] Phoenix Stakes at Keeneland earlier this month,” said Brisset. “But the time of roughly four weeks was a little short and he has done nicely off a break before, so we gave him a stiffer third worker with Flavien up [Sept. 10, 5f, :59.60, 1/12] and we think he should be good.”
Mullikin has a special spot in Brisset's heart not only because of what the horse has accomplished on the track, but because he came to the trainer as a late juvenile. Watching his development, especially during his 3-year-old season, was nothing short of gratifying.
“Sometimes a horse just needs time and that is how Mullikin was last year,” Brisset said. “He was healthy, continued to have a beautiful physical, but the maturity needed time and we gave it to him when he needed it.”
Bred by Fred Hertrich and John Fielding, the $500,000 Keeneland September grad broke his maiden at third asking under the Twin Spires in May of 2023, then was the runner-up in the Maxfield Stakes when the Churchill summer session was forced to switch to Ellis Park. The bay then ran fourth against allowance company at the Pea Patch in late July and that is when Brisset saw fit to turn him out.
Mullikin wins the Forego Stakes at Saratoga | Tod Marks
“He is a super easy, very classy guy,” Brisset said. “But the transformation heading into this season was obvious and he just came back ready to go.”
And go he did.
Mullikin cleared the allowance level when he won by 5 3/4 lengths at Keeneland Apr. 26 and won against optional claimers going seven furlongs at Churchill Downs June 8. Next, the 4-year-old won the GII John A. Nerud Stakes at the Big A July 6 before shipping to Saratoga for the Forego.
Heading to the Breeders' Cup is not foreign to Brisset whatsoever since he was part of a larger operation under Mott. He understands the drill, but having his name printed in the program is something different. Last year at Santa Anita, Brisset had his first Breeders' Cup runner in longshot MGSW Yuugiri (Shackleford), who outran her odds and finished second in the GI PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.
“It was a different situation with Yuugiri since we had tried her on different surfaces and were figuring out where she would do her best,” Brisset said. “She was great and we hope to have another great experience this year.”
Brisset's lone Breeders' Cup entry is not his sole concern as he just wrapped up a stellar fall meet at Keeneland. The trainer was on fire as he saddled nine winners out of 20 starters.
Forego trophy presentation with Rodolphe Brisset (center) | Tod Marks
“We are a small barn under 50 horses and we will never be scared to ship anywhere and run with anyone,” he said. “Racing is strong here in Kentucky and we are going to keep working on details, all the little things that matter and it's going well right now.”
The importance placed on details that Brisset mentioned–schooling with the likes of Dupre and Mott–have assisted him on his way to this year's Breeders' Cup and will do so beyond such a sliver in time. Another early lesson from Dupre confirmed as much.
“Like Monsieur Dupre told me 'It's better to be a good exercise rider over being a bad jockey', which if you understand what he was saying is about quality or quantity. It's about doing something properly, from the start, to get where you never thought you could go.”
Now with Mullikin ready to show his quality in the Breeders' Cup at Del Mar, Rodolphe Brisset has the chance to earn a special achievement. He is fully aware that Saturday's sprint will be over quickly, but transforming into a master does not happen even remotely as fast. There is always much more to learn.
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