He’s going to ride WESTOVER in famous Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in ParisLongchamp, a racetrack where he won his first group 1. We meet him and tell us some words about his gifted horse!
You will ride WESTOVER in Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Sunday in Parislongchamp. How do you feel before the race ?
Obviously I’m very excited. I know it very well, I’ve ride it before and it’s just fantastic to get the opportunity to ride him again and especially to ride it in such a prestigious race like the Arc de Triomphe.
-What does a horse like Westover represent in your career ?
He’s obviously a hugely important horse for my career. I’ve had the opportunity to ride it in the English Derby and all the races in England has been great for myself and what he achieved in the Irish Derby was just fantastic. The Arc de Triomphe looks like a race that could be really suited to his kind of riding style. I think the track would be ideal. If we got slow conditions, he’ll run very well.
Have you worked the horse lately ?
Yes, I worked him in his last pieces of work. Obviously, i was very happy with him.He’s very well from the break after ASCOT.
Do you know what happened in King Georges race in Ascott ? Do you think that he’s able to win on sunday ?
Yes, it didn’t really go his way at Ascot. I think there was a few things that combinated between the entricies of Ascot with the downhill start for the first two furlongs he got very keed and caught a small failed. I think in the Arc, on that kind of track it will be far better suited to him. I’m very confident that he can make a a big race.
-You rode only one time in Parislongchamp and you won. What do think about this racecourse?
Obviously, I won my first group 1 here and it’s a racecourse that i’ve enjoyed going to. It’s been a very lucky course and i was over the moon this day.
-Which horses do you fear?
If the ground is quite firm, I think he can have a good race. It’s one of the most difficult race in the world and we are all in a very great shape for this moment. I think we are all very competitive. It’s necessary to be lucky and have a good draw.
-Which ground WESTOVER prefer?
I think he’s good on slow ground too but he can go on good to firm. He’s all ground.
Thank you very much Rob!
