YOUMZAIN TO STAR AHEAD OF LONGCHAMP AS THE FRENCH CAMERAS DESCEND ON WEST ILSLEY
The French Racing Channel arrive at West Ilsley next week to film a programme on Youmzain. It seems rather strange that a horse bred Ireland and trained at West Ilsley should be popular enough to the point that he's to feature in a programme on the other side of the Channel - but there you go.
Mick can be a grouchy old git at times, but such is the subject matter that he's decided to give the French whatever they want. MRC, Hughesie and Youmzain have all set aside time for the camera crew, whilst we hope that they are able to decipher raw Wiltshire, although Mick has no worries on that score.
"I've been polishing up my French especially for their arrival - they've always been able to understand me. I had some easily understood altercations with the French over Yasood and Parasol when they got thrown out of races they won at Longchamp and Deauville respectively, but I suppose I have a lot to be grateful to the French for.
"Youmzain should have been given the Arc against Dylan Thomas - according to their rule book - but shirking away from that decision did us all a favour. Youmie would have been an Arc winner and would probably have been retired to stud a lot sooner.
"OK, I'll come clean - he's not been "off" in the last three Arcs, we gave him an easy time just to get hold of the placed prize-money - it's this year's renewal we really want to win!*
"This lot of French people come in peace next week and they're more than welcome. Anyone willing to give Youmzain credit and who realise what he's achieved is alright by me.
"I just hope their health and safety awareness is up to scratch if they want to film him in his box."
