He is already the revelation of the year at the trot. Alan Gendrot (23) has a total of 16 successes this year and leads the ranking of the best apprentice in France in mounted trotting with 158 points. “I didn’t pay particular attention to it but my start to the year was good, he reveals. Now I play the game thoroughly. »
The native of Château-Gontier (Mayenne) had a very good start to the summer with 44% success in the first three and five successes since July 1. Thus, he has a lead of forty points over his pursuers, Kwincy Petitjean (114 pts), Antonin André (111 pts) and Alexandre Bodin (109 pts). “We are friends outside the races, he slips. But I am attentive to their progress so as not to be caught up. »
“When you are motivated, you can do it”
It’s also a wind of change blowing on the apprentice pelotons with young jockeys who are not necessarily from the seraglio. “I started from zero, confirms the one who started his career in 2018. I discovered racing through my neighbor who is the breeder of Roxana de Barbray (4th in the Prix d’Amérique in 2013). I first did an internship in breeding before continuing in a racing stable, with Samuel Deshaies. When you don’t have a family in the horses, you have to prove yourself even more. But when you are motivated, you can do it. »
The proof, a few years later, here he is at the top of the bill, called by great coaches such as Thierry Duvaldestin. “It’s rewarding but it also puts a bit of pressure,” he says. However, I’m not going to change anything in my way of riding. I will continue to respect my horses and the orders given to me. And also try not to take layoffs (laughs). »
After two years of BTS alternately and experiences with Jérôme Dubreil, and Richard Joly, from whom the young man “learned a lot”, he is now attached to the stable of Ludovic Le Drean since last October. “He leaves me a lot of freedom for the outside and I thank him. We manage to arrange for the proper functioning of the stable. »
The next few days could allow Alan Gendrot to further increase his lead in the standings. The partner of Body and soul takes stock of his next rides. “Friday evening, I find Bold of Laumiere (5th race) with which I finished second three times. It still risks being complicated for success, especially since he has to cover 25 m, but he will do his race. Saturday, in Enghien, I will be associated with India de Banville. She has gains and finds herself in a high category. It will be unshod and should enjoy the short distance. We will try to grab a place. It will be more complicated for First Destin. Sunday, Emerald Del Phedo has a good card to play. It has just run well and I am awaiting confirmation. My next winner could be Bess Gadcha, Tuesday in Cabourg. If she remains wise, she has the means to impose herself because she is behind in earnings. »