In a weekend where Arc aspirants had their reputations enhanced and punctured alike at Longchamp and in Germany, a stalwart of the racing scene some 10 years older was cheered to the rafters when winning Craon’s marquee event of the year, the listed €79,000 Louis de Guebriant Cross Country, deep in Jump racing’s French heartland.
Thirteen year old Roi Mage, winner of 10 of his 45 chases, added to an impressive career total, bringing his earnings up to over £950,000 with a copybook race that mirrored his commanding performance in this race in 2024, the winning margin this year reduced to 3l from the best of the younger generation, Klitschko de Belair.
The reasons why French, British & Irish alike all warm to a staying chase were here on display: jumping prowess, courage, and grit. Roi Mage, always handy behind the front-running Klitschko de Belair, 7 years his junior, and the upcoming Horus’d’Aubrelle, on a four-timer, took the shortest route under James Reveley, and took up the running altogether from the 10th after mistakes from the leader.
Jumping fence to fence, ears pricked, Roi Mage led the rest of the field a merry dance with an enthusiasm that belies his age. Horus d’Aubrelle fell at the 18th, and Reveley was able to get a brether into the old horse before the final 3 fences, where Demon de Fleur and Klitshko de Belair closed. Briefly headed, the old stager fought back and regained the lead at the last to win by 3l.
James Griffin, who has pioneered Roi Mage’s unique route around Europe’s staying chases, remarked, “This horse is a touch of class. We arrived Thursday, and he knew exactly where we were.
“He strutted around the paddock like he owned the place. The race was almost a carbon copy of last year. They played Amhrán na bhFiann (The Soldier’s Song) for the presentations, with Criquette Head in attendance. Guillaume Macaire (trainer of the second) came up to me afterwards and said, “Congratulations! I really mean it.”
Praise indeed from the master of the French jumping scene, and perhaps from one of the Flat too.
Macaire had good reason to feel frustrated, but his second place enhances his place at the head of the Crystal Cup leaderboard, with 18pts, Patrice Quinton and Josef Vana, neither of whom ran horses at Craon, some 7pts behind. Early days indeed in the 12 race series, but encouragement indeed for Macaire to enter horses outside France perhaps.
Roi Mage meantime ate up post race without any qualms. “He’ll head for the Becher Chase next,” reported Griffin. “We won’t go back to Compiegne…. Then we’ll see. The horse will tell us if he retains appetite for more.”
Balthazar King won this race 3 years 20 years ago, which record is a temptation, but Griffin is admirably grounded. As for Roi Mage, or “Frenchie” as he’s originally labelled at home, he’ll take it one race at a time.
See full result here