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| Staff Writer |
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French horse trainer Francis Henri Graffard has arrived in the UAE with four exceptional horses – Demain, Barry Irwin, and Team Valor-owned Shamrock Glitter, Track of Time, and Gallerist. Each of these horses boasts a unique pedigree and racing history, and Graffard is excited about the opportunities that await them in the region. The Frenchman has a remarkable record of success with horses owned by international patrons from around the world, including Australia, Saudi Arabia, and America. He attributes his success to the global nature of the sport and the relationships he has built throughout his career. One notable experience was his time in the UAE as a trainee in the Godolphin Flying Start program, where he had the opportunity to meet a lot of interesting people and lay the groundwork for attracting an international clientele.
Graffard is excited about the numerous opportunities that await his horses in this region. Each horse has a unique profile, and he is particularly drawn to the individual strengths and potentials of each horse, specially tailored to the racetracks and racing calendar of the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
“Demain is a sprinter/miler type who is lightly raced and improving. Track of Time is a lovely, honest horse with a turn of foot,” said Graffard
Graffard is also bringing over Shamrock Glitter, a 2YO who only recently joined the yard after he was purchased by Team Valor. “It’s fabulous,” digresses Graffard.
“Shamrock Glitter is a 3YO who joined my stable about six weeks ago and he has a lovely way of going,”
“Team Valor were absolutely delighted to take him to Dubai for the 1600m races. The way he moves indicates that he will handle the dirt and Barry Irwin (Founder of Team Valor) said he would love to give him a try on that surface. We shall see once we get there,” enthused Graffard.
He also brings ‘Gallerist’, who is considered to be one of the best 3YO stayers in France. He won the 3000m Gr.2 Prix Gerald de Geoffre in August and is being aimed at the Dubai Gold Cup.
“Gallerist ran up a succession of wins in France last year over staying trips and has the potential to do well in the UAE.”
Graffard is a testament to the French training advantage, renowned for his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to coax out the hidden potential in each horse. With these talented and diverse horses, he anticipates a successful and exciting venture in the region's racing scene.
However, Graffard’s four Dubai Carnival horses are owned by four different owners of four different nationalities. Gallerist is owned by an Australian while Demain is owned by a Saudi, Track of Time by a French owner, and Shamrock Glitter by an American.
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Managing different owner expectations and racing schedules across continents can be a complex game, but Graffard navigates these logistical and diplomatic challenges with the help of his excellent team. He ensures that his horses are fit and healthy for each race, giving them the best chance to stand out in the highly competitive field.
“I have a great team who have travelled to Dubai with the horses and I have a great team at home as well. They understand my way of training and the level of care and attention required.”
The Graffard name synonymous with racing excellence, holds an unwavering belief in the distinct advantage horses trained in his homeland possess. He believes that horses trained in Chantilly, amidst the lush forests and rolling hills of the Oise Valley, bring a distinct advantage to racing. He describes Chantilly as a fantastic place to train racehorses and believes that horses trained there can be competitive in top-level races throughout the world.
“Chantilly is a fantastic place to train racehorses, and horses trained in Chantilly and France can be competitive in top level races throughout the world.”
Although Graffard has achieved phenomenal success in Europe, particularly in France, he has always been attracted to the racing scene in the UAE. His first visit to Dubai in 2005 as part of the Godolphin Flying Start program left a lasting impression, and since then, it has been his ambition to bring horses good enough to race in the region. He admires everything that has been achieved in Dubai and the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed. He is looking forward to experiencing the city once again and participating in the region’s best racing once again.
Beyond racing, Graffard is also excited about personal experiences and discoveries in the UAE.
“I am looking forward to seeing how Dubai has changed and developed since my last visit as the pace of change is energising and exciting.”
By Staff Writer