GER Kane always favoured trotters over pacers therefore it played to his strengths when the IHRA formalised a racing scheme with Le TROT of France around a decade ago.

Ger and Sean have been involved in buying and selling aged racehorses and have also been to the fore in breeding and starting ‘Trotteurs Français bred in Ireland’ for want of a better phrase.

“Just In Time picking up Trotter Of The Year in 2022 was a highlight,” says Sean, “and between them Just In Time, Just Like Mam and another filly who wasn’t much, earned nearly 50 grand. Horsemen need to embrace the breeding of young trotters; it can be viable if we support it.”

“I’ve been training for paramedic qualifications to my fire brigade role (he is based at Dublin Airport) so make sure and credit the twins and my dad for doing the foundation with the horses.”

Sean put forward five to follow, four for the Irish scene and one an ambitious tilt at the French scene.

Just In Time will soon be in France. The Kanes stumped up the money to send his dam to Paris also, but she broke down. Here’s a big ‘Bonne Chance’ to a clearer passage for her son.

Just In Time (Ire)

4yo g Aladdin d’Ecajeul – Ella Lou Lou

He’ll be off to my friend Bjorn Goop (Swedish trainer based in Paris) at Grosbois soon. They hold qualifiers at that complex every week. He should qualify okay and then we’ll aim him at some summer grass meetings. I have schooled all my younger horses for the volte (turning) start.

Just Like Mam (Ire)

4yo m Lutin Malin – Bellet Thoes

We gave her a wind operation over the winter. Her airways were narrowing, this was causing a noise which in turn made her pull too hard. I think she will surprise some people this year and she is earmarked for France if she proves herself.

Éclair Du Limon (Fr)

10yo g Kinder Jet – Lisa de Touques

We were delighted to get him going last year for the owner Stephen Colman. He won four last term. Mary rode him for six weeks which helped. He then turned out to be a good ‘grasser’. He’s not murdered in his current grade, so here’s hoping.

High Speed Efbe (Fr)

6yo m Theo Josselyn – Kelly de Barb.

We bought her to sell again and now we are soft on her. She is a lady in the stable. I think our big track (1000 m) with its deep surface freshened her up a bit.

Hot To Trot (Ire)

6yo m Hulk des Champs – Auby de Champigny.

I have won with all sorts of cranky sorts but I haven’t won on her just yet. Mary owns her and the two of them are on the same wavelength. She was a revelation when we put her in the right-handed races.