Amy giving instructions at 3rd lot
AFTER racing at Chantilly on the Friday, it was time to go behind the scenes at Amy’s stables in Lamorlaye on Saturday.
Amy had arranged for the owners to be collected at the Hotel Parc du Chantilly and on arrival at the yard, we were treated to a typical French breafast with coffee, wonderful croissants and all too tempting pastries.
The historic yard was formerly the training establishment of France’s first licenced female trainer, Myrian Bollack-Badel, who started training in her 20s. I asked Amy what took her so long to train in France!
Victoire Magique with Amy and owners
The yard is set in beautiful, quiet surroundings and the all-weather gallops are a stone’s throw away from the stables. So, it was not too far to walk to see some of Amy’s equine stars going through their paces, including the very exciting 2yo colt by Victor Ludorum out of a Rip Van Winkle mare, Purple Magic.
The colt is owned by Solario Racing (Lamorlaye) but was as yet unnamed although the small syndicate, whose owners were all present at Chantilly had already voted on the various name suggestions.
Victoire Magique coming to his Naming Day Party
Yours truly announced the winning name which was by a narrow margin, Victoire Magique and owners and trainer toasted the horse’s name. Then, much to the delight of everyone, particularly the trainer, Victoire Magique came to join his own Naming Day party and revelled in a photo-session… until he caught whiff of a filly and then it was time for him to retire to his box before he got other ideas!
In the afternoon, many owners visited the famous Château de Chantilly and The Great Stables, which now plays host to some superb dressage displays and is home to The Living Museum of the Horse.
Dining at Le Times
What was a fabulous time in Chantilly, culminated in a wonderful meal on Saturday evening at Le Times, when Amy joined twelve of us for a very leisurely three and a half hour meal!
What’s not to love about France and French racing…?
