I have already stated several times that this has been a record year for both the number of horses recruited from France, but also the amount of money being spent at the public sales. With French National Hunt horses being so fashionable at present, any horse that shows even a moderate amount of promise at Auteuil or Compiegne is being snapped up, often for big sums. As a result, it can be hard to find "value" in those races. One alternative is to look at the middle-distance races on the Flat in France and todays French Recruit, Le Bugiste, comes from that sphere. He has joined Gavin Cromwell in Ireland after a successful time of things on the level with Philippe Decouz, the trainer of Vauban amongst many others. Here is my summary of his profile and form:
LE BUGISTE
4YO Gelding
American Devil x La Buisse (Spirit One)
1st Foal. Dam unraced half-sister to Rubaud (Paul Nicholls) and Flat/Hurdles winner, G3 placed Chaser Francin
Form: 7417-562121 €65,310 career earnings.
New Connections: Gavin Cromwell
Notes: Flat bred. 3 wins from 10 starts on the Flat for Philippe Decouz. All 3 wins came over 1m6f or further. Won a Clairefontaine maiden as a 3YO in October 2023 on Soft ground (4,1), placed horses both won subsequently before the end of the year.
Struggled over shorter trips in the Spring, but made all when stepped up to 2-miles in a Class 3 Conditions race at Saint-Cloud in May. Entered Turf handicaps on a mark of 35-kilos, finishing a close 2nd at Paris Longchamp in June before making all to win at Vichy a month later. Both handicap runs came on Good to Firm ground (3,2). Leaves France with a Flat rating of 38.5-kilos, the equivalent of 85.
Ran closing sectionals of 11.74, 11.67 and 12.48 at Vichy to suggest there is some speed there, but worth noting that the ground was very fast and 2 of the next 4 home have yet to reappear. Had the run of the race in front, but showed good early speed to overcome a wide draw (11.44s opening furlong). Hurdle winners in the immediate family, of which Rubaud is the most obvious. Clearly stays well on the Flat, though has yet to show significant form on ground worse than soft, though only run on Heavy ground came over an inadequate trip at Fontainebleau in March.
Key Races
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