Three-time former Champion jockey David Cottin, who partnered Long Run to win the Grade 1 Prix Cambaceres and Prix Maurice Gillois before he was taken across the Channel to join the yard of Nicky Henderson, is about to complete his second season as a trainer and is rapidly establishing himself as one of the leading trainers in the country.
Following 33 winners in 2018, thanks to 51 victories he currently ranks in fifth position in the French trainers’ table and the season is still far from over.
He has chosen Lamorlaye, next to Chantilly, as his main base, but he is also in charge of his father Philippe’s stable close to Lion-d’Angers, where young horses are broken and pre-trained.
He currently has about 95 horses in training and at this time of the season, he is already starting to look forward to the meeting at Pau where he will base himself during the months of December, January and early February.
Many of his charges are cross-country specialists that are targeting the Grand Cross de Pau, but could also travel to England to run at Cheltenham. “I’m taking between 40 and 65 horses down to Pau,” confirms 30-year-old David Cottin.
“Pau is a great meeting that goes on for two months. I used to ride at Pau every winter during my career as a jockey. In fact, I already used to go there with my parents when I was young. You could say it’s in my blood. I just love it there.”
Here, Cottin details his runners for the months ahead to attheraces.com’s Liz Price.
*The horses covered can now be added to your Tracker, which has been expanded to cover French racing.*