The 12-year-old black lion Vent des Dunes, sole resident of the Vosges trainer’s license Daniel Houillon, triumphed from start to finish for his return to the Grand Cross of Strasbourg, 4th stage of the National Cross Trophy – Haras du Lion in Alsace, ridden with mastery for the first time by Romain Julliot. Discover the story, videos and photos.
” She is beautiful this one “. Coming from the west especially for the occasion, Romain Julliot, one of the best jockeys in the discipline in France, can give free rein to his joy after the Grand Cross de Strasbourg, the 4th stage of the National Cross – Haras du Lion Trophy that he has just repotted in the saddle on the unusual Wind of the Dunes, an impulsive jumper whose ardor he knew, while discovering, to master in order to win from start to finish. Already winner of the France Sire Anjou Loire Challenge with Posilox and the Grand Cross de Craon last year with Bomari, Romain Jullliot is one of the most capped jockeys in France in the discipline. Although rarely riding in the East, he was contacted by Daniel Houillon to ride Vent des Dunes in the Grand Cross de Strasbourg to replace his usual rider Jimmy Zerourou, with whom he notably triumphed last year in the Grand Cross de Vittel, but currently stopped following a fall in Paray-le- Monial.
Beforehand, Daniel Houillon had warned that it was only a comeback for Vent des Dunes, 12-year-old son of Crillon, in anticipation of an attempt to double in the Grand Cross of Vittel this summer. Vent des Dunes had in fact no longer resorted to after a fall in the Grand Cross de Vichy on September 18th. But the adage that old horses often run very fresh has once again been verified, and this AQPS bred in La Manche by Gerard Martin won from start to finish, dominating the excellent finisher Brunch Royal, a “FR” trained in Czechia by Josef Vana Jr, then Fayas and Dunquin, two residents of Patrice Quinton, the trainer of Dragey who won the last 6 editions of this event! All the Grand Est Equestrian, certainly few seen behind closed doors but so enthusiastic that they covered the winner’s return with heavy applause, could be proud to see a local win his trophy.
Vent des Dunes with Romain Julliot
Daniel Houillon is an archetype of the Eastern sportman. Licensed to train, and even breeder of his own residents, he is a forestry technician in “real life”, in a commune in the Vosges. ” Vent des Dunes is currently my only horse, as I ride myself every day on my brother Gilles’ trail. “Former public coach, Gilles Houillon was covered in glory with Ucello du Lac, who had won everything in the East and even allowed himself to make a raid in the West with the Grand Crosses of Pertre, Saumur and even Craon. ” It is a small 800 m track but it still allows the horses to be sharpened. In addition, I work Vent des Dunes in the forest. Sometimes I do my observation tours with him. While in the race he is difficult to control, he is very wise in the morning.”
” I bought Vent des Dunes when he was 2 years old for a very small price in La Manche near Dragey, through an old friend, Philippe Ouvry, with whom I used to rent horses, and his partner, Dr Benoit Grosfils. They presented the horse to me because its breeder Gérard Martin had just died, and it was necessary to find a way out for him. “At the start of his career, Vent des Dunes didn’t show much, then he started to climb the stairs when he was climbed forward. He broke the Indian sign that had made him accumulate misfortunes until ‘then in Strarsbourg where he had known only failures, arrests, falls and even evasions. This Sunday, April 18, his horizon was perfectly clear.
PHOTO GALLERY by ALBERT EYERMANN
Vent des Dunes with Romain Juillot
Fayas with Jordan Duchêne
Caprice La Cheneau with Félix de Giles
Dunquin with Adrien Fouchet
Royal Brunch with Josef Bartos
Albert Eyermann, photographer for 40 years of the Strasbourg races
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