Training legend Alain de Royer-Dupre saddles last runner in glittering career

French training legend Alain de Royer-Dupre sent out his final runner on Wednesday when Darenndi finished second in a handicap at provincial track Pornichet.

After saddling around 3,000 winners, the 77-year-old announced in September he was to step down as private trainer to the Aga Khan at his Aiglemont base in Chantilly after 38 years, during which time he sent out greats such as Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winners Dalakhani and the unbeaten Zarkava.

Royer-Dupre, who is to be succeeded in his role by Francis Graffard, won 77 Group 1s for the Aga Khan during his tenure including six Prix du Jockey Clubs and six Prix de Dianes.

The handler, who also trained successfully for other owners, saddled his last Group 1 runner for the Aga Khan when Ebaiyra finished third in the Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin on December 12.

The trainer said: “It is a tremendous opportunity to be able to train for an owner-breeder. It has been my greatest privilege to have worked alongside His Highness the Aga Khan, who combines his love of racing with a passion for breeding.

"And I count myself fortunate to have enjoyed the lasting trust of the Haras de Montaigu [Aliette and Gilles Forien] and the Haras de la Perelle [Jürgen Winter] throughout my career that has spanned 50 fascinating years.”

As well as his domestic exploits, Royer-Dupre broke new ground for French trainers when winning the first running of the Breeders’ Cup Turf in 1984 with Lashkari, and even further afield put the country on the roll of honour of the Melbourne Cup when Americain scored in 2010.

Zarkava was top of the Royer-Dupre tree in winning all seven of her races in 2008, culminating in her easy win in the Arc.

Royer-Dupre said: “Zarkava was a genius, but she had no business being so. She wasn’t perfect, especially when it came to her conformation. I’ve had many prettier horses than her, but what a type of horse, what a racing temperament, and what an extraordinary engine!"

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