French powerhouses Jean-Claude Rouget and Jerome Reynier scrap plan to join forces next year

Jean-Claude Rouget and Jerome Reynier will not pursue the planned merger of their training operations under a joint licence, with Reynier describing the decision not to move forward with the project as "in everyone's best interests".

Reports that the deal to operate from three sites under a joint licence from January 1 might be running into trouble surfaced in the French press in the middle of September, though lawyers for the two men issued statements saying they were continuing to explore the financial and structural arrangements necessary to press ahead.

The initial announcement on August 8 that two of France's most successful trainers would be joining forces sent shockwaves through the French racing community, and while many of their owners appeared to back the proposal, significant dissenting voices emerged behind the scenes. 

More publicly the Aga Khan Studs announced it would be moving 17 horses from Rouget to its private training yard in Chantilly under the care of principal trainer Francis Graffard in what it described as a streamlining process, while Jean-Claude Seroul confirmed a re-organisation of his horses last week, which places Nicolas Perret in charge of his yard in place of Reynier, who will nonetheless continue to train horses for Seroul at his own premises.

Jerome Reynier with Lazzat, who will head to Sydney to run in the Golden Eagle on November 2Credit: Racing Post/Burton

In an exclusive interview with French racing daily Jour de Galop, Reynier confirmed that he and Rouget would not be finalising the deal.

"There will be no association between the stable of Jean-Claude Rouget and mine," said Reynier. "During the summer we announced our desire to work together from next year. Since then, we have conducted a joint analysis of a variety of different issues involved in this type of project; the facilities, the logistics and the finances. 

"And after conducting a deep study, we feel it's preferable not to follow the plan to its conclusion."

Reynier added: "It's not unusual for two companies to explore a merger and finally decide against doing so. In fact, it happens a lot in the world of business, so I am neither sad nor disappointed.

"The idea was a good one, but if it cannot be carried out under the best circumstances for the owners, the staff and the horses, then you need to recognise that it's best not to go ahead in everyone's best interests."

Rouget has been absent from the racecourse since mid-May under advice from his doctors but was present at the meeting at Tarbes in the south west of France on Tuesday.

Reynier told Jour de Galop he would now concentrate on the expansion of his yard at Calas near Marseille, where he recently oversaw the construction of 30 new boxes, as well as exploring other options for a potential satellite base nearer to Paris.

Read more...

'Together we will be stronger' - Jean-Claude Rouget and Jerome Reynier to join forces in French 'superstable' next year 

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