'There's more guarantee of jumping ability with AQPS horses'

Name Pierre Boulard

Age 58

Occupation Bloodstock agent

You play a key role in sourcing runners for Willie Mullins, together with Harold Kirk. How do the three of you work as a team? As I live near Chantilly, I observe a lot of potential jumpers around the Parisian tracks, but also the many provincial courses we have in France.

When I notice one, I inform Harold straight away and he then talks to Willie. If the horse fits Willie's criteria, we might then make an offer.

What stood out to you about Al Boum Photo when you recommended him to Willie Mullins? We first saw him with Harold at the Arqana store sales and we both liked him physically and his sire, Buck's Boum.

I just followed him afterwards, and decided to buy him after he was an unlucky faller at the second last hurdle on his debut at Moulins, when he showed a lot of potential.

How does Klassical Dream compare to other winners of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle you have been involved with? That was a very emotional win with Klassical Dream as his former owner - who I met a year ago to finalise the deal - passed away six months ago, and his widow was over the moon as you can imagine.

From the archives: meet Willie Mullins' trusted eyes and ears in France

Al Boum Photo and Klassical Dream are thoroughbreds, while Duc Des Genievres and Eglantine Du Seuil are AQPS-bred. What are the main differences you see between thoroughbred and AQPS horses? There's not much difference now between AQPS breds and thoroughbreds physically, there's just more guarantee of jumping ability with AQPS horses as they come from many generations of jumpers on their dam side.

There were a record 14 French-bred winners at the Cheltenham Festival this year. What factors contributed to this level of success? The 14 French-bred winners were the result of all those years of specific French breeding for jumping, with the excellent pre-work from French trainers on very young horses.

They've also been supported by some of the top trainers in England and Ireland such as Willie, Nicky Henderson, Gordon Elliott and Paul Nicholls.

If given a budget of £100,000/€115,000 to spend on a jumps horse, what sale would you target and what type of horse would you look for? The budget would be too small for buying proven jumpers so I'd try to buy an unexposed young horse off the Flat, at the sales or privately.

Are there any runners you helped source who we should be keeping an eye out for? Unfortunately it's much too early to mention any of our new French purchases, as Willie takes his time before putting pressure on them and realising what kind of engine they have.

Which young National Hunt sires in France have impressed you most with their early runners? And are there any young National Hunt sires in France you recommend who have not had any runners yet? Cokoriko is obviously very promising and I do like Masked Marvel as he is a son of Montjeu and gives plenty of scope to his progeny.

Of all the horses you have been involved with, who has been your favourite and why? My favourite horse bought for Willie is Al Boum Photo, as he made history for him by becoming his first Cheltenham Gold Cup winner and he will stay in his mind forever.

Also Quevega, as she was bought at the beginning of my work with Willie Mullins.

If you had to pick another agent to purchase a horse, apart from Harold Kirk, who would you choose and why? Chantilly-based agent Gerard Larrieu, because he is so talented and has so many big successes with his purchases of young horses off the Flat.

Who do you predict will win this year's Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil and Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris? The Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil will be won by the amazing mare De Bon Coeur.

The Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris should be won by one of Guillaume Macaire or Francois Nicolle's horses as they dominate the French jumping scene massively.

Read other installments from our popular Q&A series:

Henry Plumptre and Scott Calder

Adam Sangster

Published on 6 April 2019inNews