Mescam.
A name that brings back memories to the oldest racegoers, who attended Didier's exploits in the 1980s at the Auteuil racecourse (Paris 16th).
Tragically passed away in an accident during training in 1999, the obstacle jockey passed on his passion for horses to his two sons, Damien and Mikaël, a 32-year-old trainer with an atypical background.
“I obtained a degree in economics and management at La Sorbonne, specifies the latter.
This allows for a certain open-mindedness.
On the other hand, the prospect of working locked in an office was not for me.
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Fracture of the cervical "which required the installation of four screws"
In parallel with his studies, the native of Chantilly (Oise) evolved in the amateur category before becoming a professional jockey on November 10, 2012. An accident on the track put an abrupt end to his career.
“I had a cervical fracture which required the installation of four screws, confides Mikaël.
I lost my license in April 2013, and for a year I found myself on the sidelines.
I then discovered the training part..." Alongside Yann-Marie Porzier, Nicolas Bertran de Balanda and Guy Cherel, before settling in Sarthe in 2017. "I started with two horses on an estate located in Mans, he continues.
I created the obstacles myself.
If I had been told five years ago that I would be where I am today…”
The person concerned even displays more than 70% success in the first three since the beginning of the year.
However, the coach of Calinight (No. 1), at the start of this Thursday's quinté (8:15 p.m.) at the Clairefontaine racecourse (Calvados), is not a man to live on his achievements, and the next chapters of its history could be written in another domain.
“I like to challenge myself,” he concludes.
With the disappearance of my parents, I realized that I had only one life…”
Calinight "capable of finishing in the fifth"
“He's a horse that made us happy and is in great shape right now.
He competed in slightly easier races to allow him to regain his morale.
And when he has it, he is capable of beautiful things.
It even surprises me sometimes.
He must carry weight but I think he is capable of finishing in the fifth.
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