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Moment Of The Month: July.
Eric Raffin delivered his 3000th French harnessed driven victory on Sunday 10 July 2022 at Questembert. Achievements such as these present an opportunity to look back and discuss. The driver spoke to us while in transit between two race meetings.
3000th harness victory. Do you pay attention to these numbers or are you surprised when journalists point to these achievements?
3000, that's quite a milestone. Not many of us have done that. I turned 40 last November. I know I won't do 3000 again. I never imagined that I could do this. Jean-Michel Bazire managed to pass 6000, Richard Denéchère 4000… but this remains a rare achievement. Today, the competition is fiercer, it is more and more difficult to reach this kind of score.
You are very consistent: over the past three seasons, your success rate on the podium is over 40%… is this due to personal improvement or more extensive selection of horses?
I am in the middle of my good years: I have quality horses but at the moment less so than a few months ago. Due to the forced retirement of Face Time Bourbon, I took a huge slap because I'm not sure I will find such a horse anytime soon. Izoard Védaquais is a great horse but he is no Face Time Bourbon who was tough, classy, with a lot of speed and a left-handed predisposition, cut out for Vincennes and the Prix d'Amérique. I was privileged to have been associated with him. I'm afraid I'll never find a horse like him again.
You also always successful in mounted races even if you are riding less: what do you think about this specialty?
Physically, it keeps you in shape. I'm not traveling across France for a mounted race, but I still have good horses to ride like Hallix. I always have fun.
Three years ago, Jean-Michel Bazire eased off, is it easier for you?
No way. Last year, I had to fight with Yoann Lebourgeois and this year, it's Alexandre Abrivard.
Alexandre is in great shape, he is talented. He has a big team behind him with his father's stable and family breeding operation. I'd rather be in his place than mine! I have to fight constantly. I have nothing this comfy. I never thought I could be at peace. And this competition makes it impossible to sit back on my laurels winning.
I have had an agent for 5 years. Today, we must stay at the top level. These agents are similar to those used for flat races. The problem is that this creates tensions between drivers. It changes relationships in the locker room because we are all in the fight. We have lost the friendliness, the warmth that could reign in the locker room ten years ago.
To date (July 18), you have a total of 4256 victories (driven and mounted): how far do you think you can push the score?
I still want to compete, to win. I race each horse to the best of our associated abilities. But I'm sure one day I'll say stop and overnight. I want to win the Prix d'Amérique. Above all, I take as much pleasure in passing the post as the winner. If I have to sum up my job, it's to make people happy, it's sending the owners home with a victory and a smile.