Tableaux has the G1 Prix du Jockey Club in its sights after securing a tight but impressive win in the Prix Hocquart China Horse Club (CHC) on Sunday at the Hippodrome de Longchamp. The winner is owned by partners Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, associates of race sponsor China Horse Club.
The 2013 Prix Hocquart is the first Group race sponsored by the CHC anywhere in the world. Taking up such an opportunity in France was a decision in keeping with the long term goals of the organization. This sponsorship signifies the mutual support between the horse industries in China and France which was further demonstrated through the recent MOU signing between CHC and France Galop held in Paris yesterday. The MOU marks the premier association of CHC with one of Europe’s most prestigious races. In return, France Galop will sponsor one of the horse races of CHC in the Tianjin National Cup race later this year.
MOU between China Horse Club and France Galop was signed by Mr. Teo Ah Khing, chairman of China Horse Club (2nd from left) and Mr. Bertrand Belinguier, president of France Galop (3rd from left) and witnessed by Mr. Bai Zhisheng, chairman of Tianjin State Farms Agribusiness Group representing the joint venture company, Tianjin State Farms Agribusiness Desert Star Co. Ltd, behind Tianjin Equine Culture City where the China Horse Club has an affiliation, and Mr. Louis Romanet, chairman of International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (4th from left)
Held in May of each year, the race is a precursor to England’s Epsom Derby and France’s French Derby (Prix du Jockey Club) in early June of this year. In the past, the winner of Prix Hocquart became subsequent winners in the French Derby as well; Mouktar in 1985 and Bering the following year. In 1948, My Love achieved a rare treble by winning Prix Hocquart, French Derby, and Epsom Derby.
The day’s feature race, the G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains (Le Parisien) was taken out by CHC’s French trainer Nicolas Clement. Nicolas oversees the careers of seven CHC horses from his Chantilly Stable and is also playing an important role as one of the elite French trainers educating students from the Inner Mongolia Agricultural University.
Presentation of trophy by CHC Chairman Teo Ah Khing to Paul Smith, son of Derrick Smith co-owner of Tableaux, the 2013 Prix Hocquart China Horse Club winner held at the Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, France. Witnessing the awarding were Mr. Louis Romanet, president of IFHA, Mr. Bai Zhisheng, chairman of Tianjin State Farms Agribusiness Group, and Mr. Bertrand Belinguier, president of France Galop.