JAMES Griffin is encouraging small trainers to consider opportunities in France for their racehorses.

Assistant to his father Paddy at their base in Oldtown, north Co Dublin, James took stable star Roi Mage to Craon in north-west France last weekend for a prestigious cross-country race. The 12-year-old gelding won easily and bagged almost €40,000.

Speaking to The Irish Fieldthis week, Griffin reported that the horse took the race and the travelling in his stride. “Roi Mage is the ultimate professional,” he said. “He ate and drank everything on the boat and at the track, and has been 100% since he came home.”

Imported from France in 2022, Roi Mage finished ninth in the Grand National at Aintree earlier this year and has run well in conditions chases here, finishing first, second and third in the same conditions chase at Down Royal on St Patrick’s Day over the past three seasons.

The horse has also made four trips back to France for the Griffins, winning at Compiegne last November and placing on his other two Gallic outings prior to his most recent success in a race which holds listed status.

“The owners are up for anything and I like thinking outside the box,” said Griffin, who also acts as a racecourse commentator. “At the end of the day the Irish programme book is very stale and there are opportunities further afield.”

Griffin said he had no problems making the entries for France and travelling to the tracks, but there were some unusual details. “When you make an entry for a race in Britain the racecourse contacts you. But in France it’s different. You have to contact the racecourse and book your stable and pay for your bedding. It can be hard to get through to them and there is a language barrier but you have to persist.

“Google Translate became very useful but I also have to mention [jockey] James Reveley who is based in France. James is a good friend. He sourced Roi Mage for us and I often bounce ideas off him.”

Griffin, who thanked Shark Hanlon for helping him with transport arrangements last weekend, was particularly impressed with the crowds and atmosphere at Craon. “The admission fee was €6 and the place was packed. It was like the Friday of Punchestown combined with the atmosphere of Galway.

“Aidan O’Brien had a winner (Laburnum) there on Saturday and Edward O’Grady’s runner (Ecureuil Secret) was an unlucky second in a listed race. There were trotting races and even a side-saddle race which had three Irish riders (Susan Oakes, Hazel Valentine and winner Alicia Devlin Byrne).”

Roi Mage’s race had a total purse of €97,000 and is arguably the most important cross-country race in Europe. “Balthazar King won it for Philip Hobbs in 2013 and now Roi Mage is the first Irish winner,” Griffin confirmed.

Roi Mage is owned by Douglas Pryde, David Van Der Hoeven, Gerry McGladery and Jim Beaumont. He carries the same colours as Auroras Encore, winner of the 2013 Grand National.

Griffin concluded: “The four and a quarter miles at Aintree stretches Roi Mage a little bit, so we’ll aim him at the Irish Grand National in 2025. He’ll have two runs before then.”

French report >>34