What a feat!
Éric Raffin erased from the shelves the record of victories over a season, held jointly by himself (2019) and Jean-Michel Bazire (2006).
Twenty-one years after turning professional with Isis de Touvois (Editor's note: January 23, 2000, in Nantes), the 40-year-old marks the history of his discipline by signing 346 victories over a year.
There are 4,091 in total in France.
The champion's driver, Face Time Bourbon, with whom he will try to win his first Prix d'Amérique, on January 30, looks back on his incredible performance and lets his emotions speak for themselves.
How did you feel when you won for the 346th time of the year at the sulky de Gys, Thursday in
Vincennes
?
ERIC RAFFIN.
It was a great deliverance.
My dread was really to stay at 344 wins.
For the past two weeks, I've been told about this record with insistence, and it was bothering me.
When I won the quinté with Farah des Caux (Editor's note: his 345th victory), I really let my joy burst.
It was important.
I am living a daydream.
Are you achieving the feat you just established?
I don't really realize it.
It's a lot of sacrifice for me and for my family.
I would like to thank the trainers who have given me excellent horses throughout the year.
You erase Jean-Michel Bazire from the shelves ...
Jean-Michel has given me some very good horses in recent years.
I still have a lot of respect for what he has achieved but records are made to be broken ...
Your agent, Éric Fournier, admitted that he wanted to save you one race a day next year.
Are you ready ?
(He bursts out laughing)
The main thing is to respect my horses and to be myself.
So far, all is well for me.
Next year my main goal will be the Prix d'Amérique with Face Time Bourbon.
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