One thing that the French trainers seem to have in common at present is their opinion that racing will not resume in mid-April. Claude Beniada spoke to Pascal Bary and he was adamant that the wait for racing action will be a lot longer than that.
CB: How have the recent measures affected your daily schedule?
PB: “They haven't really. We can continue to train the horses and in that regard not much has changed. The staff is there, no one is missing, the tracks are very well maintained and training continues as usual.”
CB: Have your employees adapted to the new rules?
PB: “Absolutely, all of them. We have applied all safety measures imposed by the government very strictly. They wash their hands several times, they stay apart when walking in the yard and when riding out. Considering the circumstances, I feel that they are all very motivated. They want a quick return to normal and they feel that their efforts will be rewarded. The sooner the better.”
CB: Racing is scheduled to resume on Apr. 16th? Does that seem a possibility to you?
PB: “Absolutely not. It is out of the question. With all the goings-on and the worst still ahead of us, how can you imagine it will come back so soon? That is in three weeks' time and reasonably you can't envisage such a thing. Too many people are presently distressed, the target is to take care of the weakest and racing is not a priority which is understandable to anyone. If we run by May 1st, it would be a miracle and that is a very optimistic prediction.”
CB: What has changed in your training?
PB: “All the horses are cantering regularly and are in full work. With the older horses and the 3-year-olds that have started as juveniles, we don't do fast work at this stage. We have no idea when they will run again, but with them it will be easier to bring them back to the races–I think these horses will be ready quickly. We don't know yet how the program will be rewritten, but I do more work with the unraced 3-year-olds. They need to be pushed a bit more, to improve steadily and be ready to go to the races not too late in the season. Two-year-olds are not really a concern at this stage and they follow the routine they would usually follow.”
CB: Some names for the season to come?
PB: “I have two older horses I quite like, [the Listed Prix Haras de Bouquetot winner] Pretreville (Fr) (Acclamation {GB}) who was supposed to return in the G3 Prix Edmond Blanc but now could be back in the G2 Prix du Muguet, and the [4-year-old] filly Bolleville (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) who won the Listed Prix Solitude and was due to run in the G2 Prix Corrida. Among the three-year-olds, the filly Greenland (War Front) [an impressive winner at ParisLongchamp in September] was a candidate for the G3 Prix de la Grotte and Ketil (Karakontie {Jpn}) was being prepared to run in a Derby prep. I also have two maidens that I like, Further Measure (English Channel), who first ran on Mar. 13th at Chantilly and was an unlucky fifth. Musical Mast (Mizzen Mast) is a good-looking individual. He has run only once, last year in that maiden won by the champion Victor Ludorum (GB) (Shamardal) and the race has proved a source of top winners. He was still tender at that time and has wintered well, so we expect nice things hopefully.”
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