Le Havre sails home for Rouget in Jockey Club
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The emergence of Jean-Claude Rouget as one of France's leading Flat trainers was crowned yesterday when he saddled four winners at Chantilly – including Le Havre in the Prix du Jockey-Club.
This colt by Noverre is the latest miler to benefit from the abbreviation of the race distance in 2005, from 12 furlongs to ten and a half. It is a lesser leap of faith than the one accomplished by Sea The Stars the previous day, but this colt certainly got home well, cutting down Fuisse after that rival had kicked clear in the straight. Westphalia led home the Ballydoyle raiders in third, drawn much wider than the winner but not really seeing out the race with much conviction.
Rouget has been training since the late 1970s but his yard, down in Pau, has only recently broken into the elite. Last month at Longchamp he won his first Classic with Elusive Wave, who heads to Royal Ascot next week.
"I didn't know if Le Havre would stay, as his pedigree is very fast," he admitted. "And because I wasn't sure, I wasn't overly confident. This season has been magnificent. We have been doing the same job at home – but they are better horses."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments