Remembering Allez France

re: Remembering Allez France

Numbered Account — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 02:20:40 GMT

I remember Allez France very well. She was one of my favorites and I saw her race on several times. I well remember her dam, Priceless Gem, when she defeated Buckpasser in the Futurity. He would turn the tables on her in the Champagne. I remember seeing Dahlia win the Man O War and the guy next to me turned and said to me, since I had seen Allez France, she must be an incredible horse if Dahlia couldn't defeat her. I told him: Allez France was simply the best.

re: Remembering Allez France

Eric Rickard — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 19:42:12 GMT

Thank you for the history. I always enjoy your your story telling. While reading the article; my wife loved my re-telling. Hope to see you at THE SPA.

What are your thoughts on California Chromes winter plans?

re: Remembering Allez France

A Horsey Canuck — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 09:59:40 GMT

Steve, thank you so much for such a wonderful history lesson on Allez France. I had to wait till today to read it and I'm so glad that I did. The comments from many others who not only remembered this great mare, some even had a personal history with her. Between your pieces and Abigail's "Vault", I am getting the most wonderful education, albeit later in life. I didn't realize that my hero, Secretariat, and Allez France were the same age when they both died in 1989. Thank you Steve, MamaZ, Waya, Abigail and Affirmed (for the Youtube clip). You and everyone else who commented on this wonderful piece, have made my weekend. I can't wait for your history lesson on Ruffian, Steve. My (your) binder is bulging at the seams.

re: Remembering Allez France

billpyers — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 16:09:22 GMT

It won't be a pivotal moment in your life, but I owe you an apology. I've really enjoyed the two superb articles on Dahlia and Allez France.A fantastic era of European racing (and Americas!)

re: Remembering Allez France

Abigail Anderson — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 13:41:42 GMT

Steve: What a surprise to learn that there you were, as your "toddler" you (as someone said above) buzzing around France with Peb! And to learn so much from the inside about this great mare was special for me, since I, too, am an Allez France + Dahlia + Sea-Bird groupie. Now, the fact that her buddy was also a Steve must have really made you laugh. So funny how small the world can seem sometimes. Merci, cher Steve. C'etait fantastique! (Pardon abs. of proper accents but this is an English computer...) MamaZ -- great anecdote!

re: Remembering Allez France

peggy8 — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 13:18:17 GMT

Am always trying to breed to a stallion w/Priceless Gem on his bottom side. Missed Belong to Me but did get to Commemorate. Had a gorgeous colt but he never made it to the races as he developed disposition problems when I sent him to a trainer to be sold after riding him all over our farm when he was broken. He came home and made a great dressage horse due to his superb movement.

re: Remembering Allez France

larthemisarthemis — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 17:25:47 GMT

Steve, when you wrote about Dahlia, you said she was unable to handle Allez France over the softer courses in France. Was it also the case Allez France had trouble with the firmer courses outside of France?

re: Remembering Allez France

Waya — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 15:04:34 GMT

Dear Mr. Haskin. Yes, as you describe so well Allez France, I knew her very well. I was working at the D. Wildeinstein stable in Chantily and I had a chance to ride Allez France, just for a week, every one was riding her because she did not have her own rider at that time when she was just a baby and she was a difficult one, but I never forget that week. I was the groom and exercise rider of Pawneese the year later and Pawneese was a special filly also. But I never forget Allez France working in the Aigle on the turf. Angel Penna trained her to perfection. He have to make a relay of 3 horses for Allez France because no horses could stay with her in her work, so impressive. When she came back after her work, passing every one easily, she stood in the middle of the paddock and look at every horses telling them "Did you see how good I am". She was amazing mare with a powerful personality and intelligence. As Pawneese was also, and Waya, Flying Water, etc.. these mare I ride also. And Yves St Martin, what can I say, he was the best of the best, no matter what. Even today, there is no jockey as good as Yves was. I feel so lucky to have known these amazing horses, they are in my heart for the rest of my life. Thank you Mr. Haskin for bringing these precious memories back. Celou.

re: Remembering Allez France

JON R — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 12:16:51 GMT

I loved that her son, Air de France, was sired by Seattle Slew, and followed him on that basis. After a maiden win in his first start, I was a bit dumbfounded as to why they shipped him off to Dubai for a stakes race. Anyway, didn't win and his career was over. Allez France...loved the name, but was only slightly aware of her at the time she raced. Horses seemed much sturdier then than now; all that racing and all that traveling. She fit the bill.

re: Remembering Allez France

Paula Higgins — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 02:17:28 GMT

This was an article that sent me right to Youtube.com to find some of her races and sure enough, there are a couple. What an amazing horse. Talk about power. They also had one that talked about the Allez France and Dahlia rivalry. As good as Dahlia was, she was clearly no match for this incredibly strong horse. Another great article Steve that continues to educate those of us who came to the party a little bit later. Loved some of the postings by people who knew her and took care of her.

re: Remembering Allez France

affirmed — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 20:25:04 GMT

I found this link to Allez France's Arc, a brief video that provides a look at the stretch run.

www.youtube.com/watch

re: Remembering Allez France

Carlos in Cali — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 20:23:13 GMT

I thought Air de France placed in the Belmont Stakes?..

Mr. Wildenstein also campaigned Steinlen, a brilliant turf Champion trained by D. Wayne Lukas.

re: Remembering Allez France

dance with fate — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 20:11:29 GMT

So much vibrancy in this tale - I can feel Allez France's strength and determination coming through. Each thoroughbred is priceless in his/herself, independent of progeny. Am so grateful for your historical pieces Mr. Haskin (Allez France's little companion was aptly named) - these stories are why racing is immortal.

re: Remembering Allez France

Steve Haskin — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 19:14:55 GMT

Great stories, MamaZ, thank you so much for sharing. I wish I had all that stuff in the story :).

re: Remembering Allez France

MamaZ — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 18:54:19 GMT

Thank you for the great article on Allez France! That is truly a name from my past. I was able to work with the great mare when she was retired to the broodmare ranks. She was definitely a "brute of a mare" as you described her. I don't remember her as being particularly mean or a biter, she was just very powerful, and extremely head strong. The fact that she would foal standing up was typical of her attitude. It was if she thought lying down to foal was too sissy for her.

Probably the most harrowing experience I ever had in a horse van was taking Allez France to the breeding shed. They sent a couple of grooms with her just in case there was trouble. She was in no mood to be separated from her foal that day and she managed to break chains and almost climb over the restraining bar. Anybody traveling on New Circle Rd. that afternoon would have seen a box van pulled on the side of the road that was rocking back and forth. Nothing like being in a small confined space with a rampaging Allez France! When we did finally get to the breeding shed I remember seeing office staff and all kinds of personnel from the stud farm in attendance as everyone wanted to see the great Allez France. There were jokes about her being more imposing looking than the stallion.

I didn't know that she was buried at the KY Horse Park. I will have to go there and visit her grave. Thanks for writing about Allez France and introducing her to a new generation.

re: Remembering Allez France

sceptre — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 18:25:36 GMT

The years had dulled some of my memories of her racing days, so thanks, Steve, for this fine article. The impeccably bred Priceless Gem was a great racing talent and deserved having such a daughter as Allez France. Quite a surprise that is was Lady Winborne, rather than Allez France, who carried on the Priceless Gem line. Years ago I saw the Seattle Slew-Allez France colt in Penna's barn at Belmont. Such a disappointment, as he was a markedly bad-looking individual.

re: Remembering Allez France

Steve Haskin — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 18:14:18 GMT

Thanks all. I'm happy there are people who are enjoying reading about these two great European fillies. Returning to America and great fillies, Ruffian will be next.

re: Remembering Allez France

Steve Haskin — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 18:12:46 GMT

Sara, unfortunately, my photos from Longchamp are buried somewhere in my garage and my photos of her at Hagyard Farm right after her retirement are on slides and it was just too much to make prints of them. It's too bad because I got some really terrific shots of her.

re: Remembering Allez France

mz — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 18:00:25 GMT

Thanks, Steve for telling those who never had a chance to see/read about/ follow these wonderful horses. I guess they are doing the same thing I did when I was starting to follow TBs in the 60's: reading about Hyperion and Nasrullah and Native Dancer and, not knowing anything about them, learning about greatness. Please keep up the history lessons so the newbies can understand about is old codgers!

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Yukon — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 17:35:12 GMT

And I'm still laughing about the couple from Florida!!! So subtly put!

re: Remembering Allez France

Donna M — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 17:00:00 GMT

Great story Steve, I have never heard of this great Filly until now and I plan on researching her races. Thanks for sharing her wonderful story, I was getting all pumped reading about the race with Saint-Martin not feeling his best so you as always have such a great way of telling a story and describing an exciting race! Merci!

re: Remembering Allez France

English Pete — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 16:51:00 GMT

Great choice for an article, Steve, and nicely written. I hadn't long become interested in racing in 1974. I was 13 years old and it was the heroes and heroines that initially got me hooked. Allez France was one of them - I watched her come second to Rheingold in the previous year's Arc and followed her closely throughout 1974 then I had my maximum £2 GBP bet (paper rounds didn't pay very well in those days!) on her to win that Arc. As Belmont Barb says above, Allez France was tough but the best thing about her was her Va-va-voom turn of speed. As you imply, if Saint-Martin had been able to hold on to her for longer she would have won comfortably, but they were such a great partnership it would have been a shame had he needed to give up the ride and thankfully all ended well. To anyone thinking of watching her past races on youtube, I'll be amazed if you don't fall in love with the mare. Beautiful stride, low daisy-cutting action and the ability to take lengths out of her rivals in the blink of an eye. Great memories, so thanks again Steve.

re: Remembering Allez France

steve from st louis — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 16:22:34 GMT

Americans are so provincial in thinking that the greatest thoroughbred meetings in the world are held at Keeneland, Saratoga and Del Mar. We follow little of Royal Ascot and Sha Tin in the summer and Longchamps in the fall and Meydan in the winter. If those aren't the greatest meetings in the world, at least they're tied for first. It was Penna who first coined the phrase applied to great throughbreds in "Don't squeeze the lemon dry."

I've been to all the top tracks in this country along with Woodbine and I would be curious Steve since you've been everywhere in the world, how you would rank the top five tracks in the world?

re: Remembering Allez France

slee — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 16:17:32 GMT

Thanks Steve, for this wonderful memory. I didn't know Allez France was buried at the Kentucky Horse Park until my first visit there. I was looking at the different stones and realized I was almost stepping on hers. I hopped back immediately, partly out of respect and partly because I'd heard of her temperament and figured she'd probably snap at anybody who got too close!

re: Remembering Allez France

sara futh — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 16:10:48 GMT

Great story, but no pictures????