THE internationalisation of horse racing on the flat is something that is taken as read these days, and has been so for a very long time. This is also the case with breeding.

A small but interesting example of this is to look at the top 10 lots at this week’s Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale. The top two lots were Irish-bred in Co Westmeath, two of the 10 were bred in the USA, and another pair are sired by Zoustar, a stallion sensation in Australia who shuttles to stud in England.

When it comes to National Hunt racing, there are just three major nations who also have important breeding sectors. These are Ireland, Britain and France. This week I made a short fact-finding trip to Auteuil for a day of racing, and also to learn a little more about the racing scene. I intend to follow this up in future weeks.

However, did you know that the France Galop database currently lists 211 Irish owners, representing 10% of all international flat and jump racing owners in France? There are also 775 British owners and shareholders.

These numbers are hugely significant, many attracted by the lucrative prize money on offer, at present €278 million.

One of the reasons for the trip was a chance to meet a number of leading jump jockeys, as well as Louisa and Philip Carberry. What a story of success the latter are carving, and they, together with James Reveley, Felix de Giles and Charlotte Prichard provided great insights into racing in France.

I look forward to bringing some of these to readers too.

Meanwhile, the jumps season in France is heading towards its highlight, the €820,000 Grande Steeple-Chase de Paris, the French Grand National, though as a weight-for-age race it is far more comparable to the Cheltenham Gold Cup. It will be run on May 22nd and this year it celebrates its 144th renewal. The three most recent stagings have been won by female trainers.

Many females have won the race as owners, starting in 1893 with English woman Mrs Chidle. The Marquesa de Moratalla won it five times, including with The Fellow, while more recently the American Magallen Bryant took the prize on three occasions.

Prior to dinner on Wednesday night, the assembled group toasted our late colleague and bon viveur Desmond Stoneham. Appropriately it was in a smart Parisian restaurant, one that felt like the spirit of Desmond inhabited. His influence on many, and his contribution to racing, will not be forgotten. All who knew him will miss him.