'Our aim was to create an event bringing together the best French youngsters'

Celine Gualde with the lowdown on this week's National de l'Obstacle show

The show was formed by a group of Normandy breeders nine years agoCredit: Barbe_Lea

Wednesday sees the latest edition of 'Le National de l'Obstacle', a showcase of young French jumping prospects, at Argentan in Normandy. Celine Gualde, the president of the organising committee, explains what will be happening on the day

RP: Can you tell us a little about the event?

CG: The National de l'Obstacle is not really a sale but rather a show, where of course the breeders hope they will find buyers but there is no official auction in a ring. Such a show used to be organised in Normandy, but it had disappeared and we breeders felt that it was missing, especially as the existing shows in other regions of France were only for AQPS horses.

There was nothing for our thoroughbreds, which represent the majority of the starters over fences in France. So nine years ago we created an association, the ANCCO, grouping some Normandy breeders, and the National de l'Obstacle.

Our aim was to create an event bringing together the best French youngsters so this is the one and only show open to horses coming from everywhere in France and also from other countries. It is for every racing prospect with a chaser pedigree, whether it is thoroughbred, AQPS or even an Anglo-Arab (one won the two-year-old section last year).

The model, style and pace of the horses are judged by a panel of three and there are prizes of stallion nominations, entry to Osarus and Dynavena horse food to the best in their categories.

Have you had any well-known horses come out it?

We have a nice hall of fame for a young show. L'Autonomie has won many big races over hurdles, including last year's Prix Renaud du Vivier. Le Prezien (2018 Grand Annual winner for Paul Nicholls) and Cracking Smart (this year's Boyne Hurdle winner) have been two other good horses.

Le Prezien: winner of a tumultuous renewal of the Grand Annual

Cheltenham winner Le Prezien is a well-known show graduateCredit: John Grossick

Where do most of the horses in the show come from?

They are from everywhere in France, but we had some from Great Britain in the past and this year we have one from Switzerland. This year it is probably 70 per cent from the Normandy region, because of Covid-19 most probably, as usually it's more 50-50.

Can you tell us a little about some of the horses in the catalogue for this year?

In the two-year-old section, the full-brother to the winner of the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris, Milord Thomas, is entered. There is a filly foal sister to Farclas (Triumph Hurdle winner) as well as close relatives to horses including Sizing John and Envoi Allen in our catalogue, which you can see online.

What is the format for this year?

This year it is a little different because of Covid. First, it usually takes place at the end of July, and we postponed it because the sales such as Arqana and Osarus were also taking place later. It's usually at Haras du Pin but we moved to Argentan racecourse as it was an easier venue in terms of health and safety.

We usually have a very nice party on the Tuesday evening, and it's really part of the event as people from everywhere in France and also the UK can meet and enjoy the moment before the stress of the big day, but sadly this year we had to cancel it.

Also, we had to cancel the yearling section because the days are much shorter at the end of September than they are in July. So it's only this year for foals and two-year-olds, but we have more than 100 entries, meaning that breeders were really waiting for the National de l'Obstacle in this unusual and difficult period.

Committee president Celine Gualde (left) with her winning foal at the 2018 event

How do you expect the trade to be?

We expect the trade will be good, with our regular agents from the UK and France and also the trainers who can find horses to buy or lease (Gabriel Leenders, one of the French leading trainers, is chairman of the jury this year). But with the Covid of course it could be different, we'll wait and see with fingers crossed!

Are there any young French sires to look out for?

Masked Marvel has had really good results with his first progeny in France and is becoming very popular among breeders. Beaumec De Houelle is in the same stud (Harade de Montaigu) as his late and famous dad Martaline.

His first foals were born this year and are really impressive models - three were entered at the show. Choeur Du Nord is the only stallion son of the very good Voix Du Nord and, among his first foals, the three-year-old Baladin Du Mesc won a Listed race in Auteuil.

Voiladenuo has the potential to be an AQPS stallion. After a very good racing career, he started as a sire in 2016 and already has two black-type horses among his three-year-olds.

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Published on 22 September 2020inNews

Last updated 16:15, 22 September 2020

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