A CONVERSATION WITH... FRANCK NIVARD, THE 30 YEAR-OLD RIDING AND DRIV- ING SENSATION ON THE FRENCH TROTTING CIRCUIT, ANSWERED SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS RACING CAREER FOR THE HARNESS EDGE DURING PRIX D AMERIQUE WEEK AT THE VINCENNES RACECOURSE IN LATE JANUARY. NIVARD IS THE CURRENT COMBINED MONEY WINNING JOCKEY/DRIVER AT FRANCK NIVARD FRANCE S CHAMPIONSHIP TROTTING MEET, THE 2009-10 WINTER SEASON AT VINCENNES, NEAR PARIS, WITH CLOSE TO $4 MILLION (US) IN EARNINGS SINCE NOVEMBER. HE EXCELS BOTH IN THE SULKY AND MONTE (TROT- TING UNDER SADDLE), AND HAS WON FRANCE S PREMIER SULKY RACE, THE PRIX D AMERIQUE (2009 MEAULNES DU CORTA, PURSE $1.6 MILLION US) AND ITS BIGGEST MONTE RACE, THE PRIX D CORNULIER (2008 MAGNIFICENT RODNEY, PURSE $1 MILLION US). HE RESIDES WITH HIS WIFE, LYDIE, AT GROSBOIS, THE HUGE TRAINING CENTRE FOR TROTTERS OUTSIDE PARIS, ABOUT 20 KILOMETRES FROM THE VINCENNES TRACK. MORE THAN 1,800 TROTTERS AND 1,000 HORSEMEN AND WOMEN CALL GROSBOIS HOME. IT INCLUDES FOUR TRAINING TRACKS AND OVER 40 KILOMETRES OF JOG- GING PATHS AND TRAILS THROUGH THE WOODED COUNTRYSIDE. IN JUNE OF LAST YEAR NIVARD RECORDED HIS 1,000TH CAREER VICTORY. OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS HE HAS 201 WINS FROM 1,332 STARTERS, SULKY AND MONTE COMBINED, FOR A 15 PER CENT WIN RATIO. The Harness Edge March 2010
A CONVERSATION WITH... Did you grow up with horses? Yes, my father, Jean Francois, was a trotting trainer. When I was seven or eight he put me up under saddle and I started jogging and training monte style. When I was 10 I began training in jog carts and sulkies. There was never any doubt for me about working with trotters. My dad still trains about 10 horses and I usually ride and drive them. Do you have a preference for one over the other? Early in my career I preferred the monte, but in recent years I ve changed to prefer the sulky races because the quality of the horses I m driving has improved. You apprenticed and worked for several trainers early on, would you consider one your mentor? I did work for a number of trainers, but besides my father Jean Baptiste Boussouet, the trainer of Prix d Amerique winners Tenor du Baune (1991) and Dryade de Bois (1998), is definitely the one I consider my mentor. Did you ever consider becoming a Thoroughbred jockey? Actually I have riden in three Thoroughbred races, but it was never a Nivard waves his whip after winning the 2009 Prix d Amerique with the nineyear-old Meaulnes du Corta who went over $2.5 million in career winnings with the victory at Nivard s home track of Vincennes. consideration to change. My best finish was fifth. But trotters are my life, and I like the variety of activity, training, riding, and driving. Where did you grow up and could you tell us a little about your personal life? I was born in La Mange in the countryside, and that s where I grew up and worked for many years. I completed 10 years of schooling, then went full time with the horses. I m married, but we have no children so far. My wife, Lydie, and I live at the major training centre, Grosbois, where I train 15 horses. She works with me at the barn in the morning. Like most Grosbois trainers we live in housing provided there, above our stables. It s really quite nice. Of the 15 horses you train, do you own any yourself? Right now I own six myself, and the others have one sole owner. Do you travel much away from Vincennes to race? I mainly race in Paris (Vincennes and Enghien) but go to the provinces for major races. I have raced in Sweden, Germany, Finland, and Italy. What about North America? I have never been to North America, and frankly, I have never thought about going there either. Actually I prefer to remain in France and race here. Have you ever driven a pacer? No. Do you use different tactics in monte verus sulky races? Monte is much easier in terms of tactics. The sulky races are more difficult, mainly because of the sulky. In your opinion are good jockey/drivers born or made? A certain portion of talent is always good to start with, but I am positive that hard work is the most important factor if you want to be a champion. Aside from the horses you train yourself, how do you get your mounts and drives? March 2010 The Harness Edge
Do you have an agent or are you first call for major stables? I do all the work myself. I am almost always at the races and it s easy to stay in contact with the other trainers. I wouldn t say I have major assigners, but I get a lot of rides from Frank Leblanc and many drives from Benjamin Goetz. Do you have your own colours or do you wear stable or owners colours? Drivers and jockeys are not allowed to register their own colours in France. Guys like Jean Michel Bazire, Dominiek Locqueneux, and Joseph Verbeeck, who drive a lot abroad, have their own colours for those occasions. What s the commission structure for jockey/drivers? The trainers charge the owners 20 per cent of the purse money won from which the jockey/drivers receive five per cent (of the total purse), the same driver percentage as North America. What goals have you set for yourself? I haven t set up any special goals. I ll keep working hard, and that will lead to success, hopefully. If you could win only one of these two races, the Hambletonian or the Elitlopp, Nivard poses with trainer Pierre Levesque following the 2009 Prix d Amerique. Nivard drove Levesque s Meaulnes du Corta to victory while Levesque steered favourite Offshore Dream who was never a factor in the race and finished sixth. which would it be? I have already won the Prix d Amerique, so the next big race I want to win is definitely the Elitlopp. How do you spend your day? How many days/nights per week do you race? Naturally I work with my stable in the morning at Grosbois. I race five to six days a week, mainly in the afternoon, and in the evening I prefer to go out to a restaurant for a nice dinner. Since you like to dine out, and French cooking has a reputation for being a little rich, is it a problem making weight for the monte races? No, I ve never had a problem with weight for monte, we ride at 67 kilos (about 147 lbs.) including tack. I couldn t make the weight for the gallops anymore. How do you spend your free time, do you have any hobbies? I wouldn t say that I have a hobby, but I play a little football (soccer) and like to watch the games on TV. Have you been in any racing accidents and if so has it changed your approach to riding or driving? I ve never had a racing accident, but I fractured a foot in training once. It did not change my attitude toward racing, no. Some of our drivers in North America push themselves to race practically every day, sometimes afternoon and evening at two different tracks. Would that type of work load appeal to you? No, I could never think of a life like that. You see, I d love to continue riding monte, and that demands a lot of physical fitness from the jockey, which makes it impossible to overdo racing activities. This interview was prepared by Dick Feinberg, former general manager of Pompano Park, Los Alamitos Race Course and Cal Expo harness racing. Questions and answers were translated by Klaus Koch, international trotting consultant and European correspondent for The Harness Edge. The Harness Edge March 2010
PAYMENTS DUE One list and one check keeps your 2-YEAR-OLD TROTTING COLTS & GELDINGS ARDEN DOWNS NO. 54 The Henry Oliver $100,000 in 2009 Colts & Geldings only. To be raced Wednesday, July 28 at The Meadows and to remain eligible to the 3-year-old-race in 2011 US $600,000 in 2010-2nd Sustaining Payment: $400- Colts & Geldings only. To race Saturday, October 9 at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs Eliminations heats, if necessary, will be raced Friday, October 1 Schedule for Future Payments: 3rd Sustaining Payment, April 15: $500 4th Sustaining Payment, May 15: $600 To race as a 3-Year-Old in the 2011 -Future Eligibility: $350- CURRIER & IVES NO. 37 $199,465 in 2009 Open. To remain eligible to 2011 race at The Meadows DEXTER CUP STAKES 2011 $241,825 in 2009 Open. To remain eligible to 2011 race at Freehold Raceway HAMBLETONIAN NO. 86 A TRIPLE CROWN EVENT $1,500,000 Estimated -$500- Open. To remain eligible to 2011 race at The Meadowlands HISTORIC SERIES NO. 43 Harriman Cup $91,060 in 2009 SUPPLEMENTAL NOMINATION: $1,000 Colts & Geldings only. To be raced Thursday, July 1 at The Meadowlands and to remain eligible to the Historic-Dickerson Cup as a 3-year-old in 2011 THE HOOSIER STAKE NO. 74 $25,676 in 2009 -$50- Colts & Geldings only. To be raced Friday, August 20 at the Indiana State Fair, Indianapolis Final Sustaining Payment, May 15: $100 HORSEMAN NO. 102 $39,206 in 2009 SUPPLEMENTAL NOMINATION: $300 Open. To remain eligible to the 2011 race at the Indiana State Fair RALPH WILFONG NO. 73 (FORMERLY HORSEMAN STAKE) $50,226 in 2009 Open. To be raced Friday, August 20 at the Indiana State Fair, Indianapolis One heat only Final Sustaining Payment, May 15: $400 LANDMARK STAKE NO. 28 $17,544 in 2009 SUPPLEMENTAL NOMINATION: $300 Open. To be raced Saturday, July 3 at Goshen Historic Track and to remain eligible to the 3-year-old race in 2011 W N REYNOLDS MEMORIAL NO. 57 Judge Moore $117,217 in 2009 SUPPLEMENTAL NOMINATION: $600 Colts & Geldings only. To be raced Tuesday, July 6 at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs and to remain eligible to the 3-year-old race in 2011 JOHN SIMPSON MEMORIAL NO. 51 Super Bowl $32,925 in 2009 Colts & Geldings only. To be raced Friday, October 8 at VERNON DOWNS (new venue) and to remain eligible to the 3-year-old race in 2011 TOMPKINS-GEERS NO. 76 $95,110 in 2009 -$350- Colts & Geldings only. To be raced Thursday, July 15 at Tioga Downs and to remain eligible to the 3-year-old race in 2011 YONKERS TROT 2011 $750,774 in 2009 -$600- Open. To remain eligible to 2011 race at Yonkers Raceway NOTICE: USTA Rule 11, Section 3 provides, Failure to make any payment required by the conditions constitutes an automatic withdrawal from the event. The Hambletonian Society will construe payment of nominating and sustaining fees to require that cash or check duly honored upon presentation to be received at the time specified in USTA Rule 12, Section 4. If a check is not duly honored upon presentation, the horse becomes ineligible to race, or if it races, to participate in the purse.
MARCH 15 horses eligible to these top events. 2-YEAR-OLD TROTTING FILLIES (FILLY DIVISIONS) ARDEN DOWNS NO. 54 Judge Joe McGraw $100,000 in 2009 To be raced Wednesday, July 28 at The Meadows and to remain eligible to the 3-year-old race in 2011 US $600,000 in 2010-2nd Sustaining Payment: $400- To race Saturday, October 9 at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs Eliminations heats, if necessary, will be raced Friday, October 1 Schedule For Future Payments: 3rd Sustaining Payment, April 15: $500 4th Sustaining Payment, May 15: $600 To race as a 3-Year-Old in the 2011 -Future Eligibility: $350- CURRIER & IVES NO. 37 Filly Division -- $168,215 in 2009 -$100- To remain eligible to 2011 race at The Meadows* DEXTER CUP STAKES 2011 Lady Suffolk -- $105,925 in 2009 To remain eligible to 2011 race at Freehold Raceway* HAMBLETONIAN NO. 86 Hambletonian Oaks -- $750,000 Estimated -$250- To remain eligible to 2011 race at The Meadowlands* HISTORIC SERIES NO. 43 Acorn Stake- $94,460 in 2009 Supplemental Nomination: $1,000 To be raced Wednesday, June 30 at The Meadowlands and to remain eligible to Coaching Club Trotting Oaks for 3-year-olds in 2011 HOOSIER STAKE NO. 74 $23,278 in 2009 -$50- To be raced Friday, August 20 at the Indiana State Fair, Indianapolis Final Sustaining Payment, May 15: $100 HORSEMAN NO. 102 $36,840 in 2009 SUPPLEMENTAL NOMINATION: $250 To remain eligible to the 2011 race at the Indiana State Fair* LANDMARK STAKE NO. 28 $11,044 in 2009 SUPPLEMENTAL NOMINATION: $200 To be raced Saturday, July 3 at Goshen Historic Track and to remain eligible to the 3-year-old races in 2011* W N REYNOLDS MEMORIAL NO. 57 Meda $104,317 in 2009 SUPPLEMENTAL NOMINATION: $600 To be raced Saturday, July 10 at Pocono Downs and to remain eligible to the 3-year-old race in 2011 JOHN SIMPSON MEMORIAL NO. 51 Davidia Hanover $33,786 in 2009 To be raced Thursday, October 7 at VERNON DOWNS (new venue) and to remain eligible to the 3-year-old race in 2011 TOMPKINS-GEERS NO. 76 $92,056 in 2009 -$350- To be raced Thursday, July 15 at Tioga Downs and to remain eligible to the 3-year-old race in 2011 YONKERS TROT 2011 Hudson Filly Trot -- $407,985 in 2009 To remain eligible to 2011 race at Yonkers Raceway* *Fillies may transfer to open race at declaration time of the open. Check conditions. NOTE: In accordance with the conditions and the intention of making fields of equal caliber, the eliminations, if necessary, of the HAMBLETONIAN OPEN and the OAKS will be seeded. Please refer to the website www.hambletonian.org for the procedure. No horse shall be permitted to race in the Open or the Oaks with Phenylbutazone (Butazolidin TM ) or Furosemide (Salix TM, formerly Lasix)
PAYMENTS DUE One list and one check keeps your 2-YEAR-OLD PACING COLTS & GELDINGS THE DELVIN MILLER ADIOS NO. 45 $827,665 in 2009 Open. To remain eligible to the 2011 race at The Meadows ARDEN DOWNS NO. 54 Gov David Lawrence $120,000 in 2009 Colts & Geldings only. To be raced Saturday, July 31 at The Meadows US $600,000 in 2010-2nd Sustaining Payment: $400- Colts & Geldings only. To race Saturday, October 9 at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs Eliminations heats, if necessary, will be raced Friday, October 1 Schedule For Future Payments 3rd Sustaining Payment, April 15: $500 4th Sustaining Payment, May 15: $600 To race as a 3-Year-Old in the 2011 -Future Eligibility: $350- CANE PACE 2011 $433,300 in 2009 Open. To remain eligible to the 2011 race at Freehold Raceway THE CLEVELAND CLASSIC NO. 27 $160,000 in 2009 Colts & Geldings only. To remain eligible to the 2011 race at Northfield Park FOX STAKE NO. 84 $64,120 in 2009 -$250- Open. To be raced Friday, August 20 at the Indiana State Fair, Indianapolis One heat only Final Sustaining Payment, May 15: $450 MAX HEMPT MEMORIAL NO. 57 $375,175 in 2009 -$250- Open. To remain eligible to the 2011 race at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs HISTORIC SERIES NO. 43 Goshen Cup- $79,162 in 2009 SUPPLEMENTAL NOMINATION: $1,000 Colts & Geldings only. To be raced Saturday, July 3 at The Meadowlands and to remain eligible to the Jersey Cup for 3-year-olds in 2011 HOOSIER CUP NO. 15 $500,000 in 2011 Open only. To remain eligible to the 2011 race at Hoosier Park HOOSIER STAKE NO. 74 $26,006 in 2009 -$50- Colts & Geldings only. To be raced Friday, August 20 at the Indiana State Fair, Indianapolis Final Sustaining Payment, May 15: $100 HORSEMAN NO. 102 $33,100 in 2009 SUPPLEMENTAL NOMINATION: $300 Open. To remain eligible to the 2011 race at the Indiana State Fair LANDMARK STAKE NO. 28 $22,344 in 2009 SUPPLEMENTAL NOMINATION: $300 Open. To be raced Saturday, July 3 at Goshen Historic Track and to remain eligible to the 3-year-old race in 2011 MESSENGER STAKES 2011 $542,060 in 2009 -$600- Open. To remain eligible to the 2011 race at Yonkers Raceway PROGRESS PACE 2011 $420,000 in 2009 Open only. To remain eligible to the 2011 race at Dover Downs W N REYNOLDS MEMORIAL NO. 57 Solicitor $225,000 in 2009 SUPPLEMENTAL NOMINATION: $600 Colts & Geldings only. To be raced Monday, July 12 at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs and to remain eligible to the 3-year-old race in 2011 ART ROONEY OPEN PACE 2011 $421,850 in 2009 -$600- Open. To remain eligible to the 2011 race at Yonkers Raceway JOHN SIMPSON MEMORIAL NO. 51 Bret Hanover $29,228 in 2009 Colts & Geldings only. To be raced Friday, October 8 at VERNON DOWNS (new venue) and to remain eligible to the 3-year-old race in 2011 TOMPKINS-GEERS NO. 76 $83,260 in 2009 -$350- Colts & Geldings only. To be raced Sunday, July 18 at Tioga Downs and to remain eligible to the 3-year-old race in 2011
MARCH 15 horses eligible to these top events. 2-YEAR-OLD PACING FILLIES (FILLY DIVISIONS) THE DELVIN MILLER ADIOS NO. 45 Quinton Patterson The Adioo Volo -- $225,966 in 2009 To remain eligible to the 2011 race at The Meadows* ARDEN DOWNS NO. 54 Catherine Baker Knoll $120,000 in 2009 To be raced Saturday, July 31 at The Meadows US $600,000 in 2010-2nd Sustaining Payment: $400- To race Saturday, October 9 at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs Eliminations heats, if necessary, will be raced Friday, October 1 Schedule For Future Payments: 3rd Sustaining Payment, April 15: $500 4th Sustaining Payment, May 15: $600 To race as a 3-Year-Old in the 2011 -Future Eligibility: $350- CANE PACE 2011 Shady Daisy $148,600 in 2009 To remain eligible to the 2011 race at Freehold Raceway* THE CLEVELAND CLASSIC NO. 27 The Courageous Lady -- $101,700 in 2009 To remain eligible to the 2011 race at Northfield Park MAX HEMPT MEMORIAL STAKE NO. 57 James Lynch Memorial - $312,925 in 2009 To remain eligible to the 2011 race at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs* HISTORIC SERIES NO. 43 Debutante Stake -- $71,662 in 2009 Supplemental Nomination: $1,000 To be raced Friday, July 2 at The Meadowlands and to remain eligible to the Ladyship Stake for 3-year-olds in 2011 HOOSIER STAKE NO. 74 $24,928 in 2009 -$50- To be raced Friday, August 20 at the Indiana State Fair, Indianapolis Final Sustaining Payment, May 15: $100 HORSEMAN NO. 102 $31,340 in 2009 SUPPLEMENTAL NOMINATION: $250 To remain eligible to the 2011 race at the Indiana State Fair* LANDMARK STAKE NO. 28 $11,194 in 2009 SUPPLEMENTAL NOMINATION: $200- To be raced Saturday, July 3 at Goshen Historic Track and to remain eligible to the 3-year-old races in 2011* MESSENGER STAKES 2011 Lady Maud -- $404,430 in 2009 To remain eligible to the 2011 race at Yonkers Raceway* W N REYNOLDS MEMORIAL NO. 57 Jane Reynolds $150,000 in 2009 SUPPLEMENTAL NOMINATION: $600 To be raced Wednesday, July 7 at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs and to remain eligible to the 3-year-old race in 2011 ART ROONEY PACE 2011 Lismore -- $333,970 in 2009 To remain eligible to the 3-year-old race in 2011 at Yonkers Raceway* JOHN SIMPSON MEMORIAL NO. 51 Razzle Hanover $34,566 in 2009 To be raced Friday, October 8 at VERNON DOWNS (new venue) and to remain eligible to the 3-year-old race in 2011 TOMPKINS-GEERS NO. 76 $78,458 in 2009 -$350- To be raced Friday, July 16 at Tioga Downs and to remain eligible to the 3-year-old race in 2011 * Fillies may transfer to open race at declaration time of the open. Check conditions.
PAYMENTS DUE MARCH 15 One list and one check keeps your horses eligible to these top events. BREEDERS CROWN & 2 AND 3-YEAR-OLD EVENTS MATRON SERIES 2010 Early Closing Event for 2-year-olds $1,915,501 Total 2-Year-Old Purses In 2009 - Nominating Fee: $300- To be raced at Dover Downs 2-year-old Colt & Gelding Trot on Saturday, November 13 2-year-old Filly Trot on Saturday, November 13 2-year-old Colt & Gelding Pace on Saturday, November 13 2-year-old Filly Pace on Saturday, November 13 Eliminations, if necessary, for the above races will be conducted the previous week 2nd Sustaining Fee, April 15: $400 3rd Sustaining Fee, May 15: $500 KENTUCKIANA STALLION MANAGEMENT PACE 2-Year-Old Filly Pace $200,000 Est. in 2010-2nd Payment: $300- To race Saturday, September 25 at Indiana Downs KENTUCKIANA STALLION MANAGEMENT TROT 2-Year-Old Filly Trot $200,000 Est. in 2010-2nd Payment: $300- To race Tuesday, August 24 at Indiana Downs (The February 15, 2010 $300 Nomination Payment must have been made to be eligible) Future sustaining payments for both of the above races 3rd Payment, April 15: $300 4th Payment, May 15: $400 EARLY CLOSING EVENTS FOR PENNSYLVANIA-SIRED 2-YEAR-OLDS KEYSTONE CLASSICS 2010 -Nominating Fee: $200- To be raced at The Meadows $506,000 Total 2-Year-Old Purses In 2009 2-year-old Colt & Gelding Trot on Monday, Sept. 20 2-year-old Filly Trot on Wednesday, Sept. 22 2-year-old Colt & Gelding Pace on Friday, Sept. 24 2-year-old Filly Pace on Tuesday, Sept. 21 2nd & Final Sustaining Fee, May 15: $400 Please see our web site for special eligibility for foreign winners. www.hambletonian.org BREEDERS CROWN NO. 23 Each of the four 3-year-old finals will be guaranteed US $500,000 in 2010 -US $800 (all payments in US Funds)- To race Saturday, October 9 at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs Eliminations heats, if necessary, will race Saturday, October 2 (A March 15 2-year-old payment & February 15 3-year-old payment was necessary) 3rd Sustaining Fee, April 15: $900 Supplemental declarations are due & payable on Monday, September 27 at 12:00 noon For more information about supplements, please contact the office MATRON SERIES 2010 Early Closing Event for 3-year-olds $1,184,252 Total 3-Year-Old Purses In 2009-2nd Payment: $600- To be raced at Dover Downs 3-year-old Colt & Gelding Trot on Sunday, November 14 3-year-old Filly Trot on Sunday, November 14 3-year-old Colt & Gelding Pace on Sunday, November 28 3-year-old Filly Pace on Sunday, November 14 Eliminations, if necessary, for the above races will be conducted the previous week 3rd Sustaining Fee, April 15: $750 EARLY CLOSING EVENTS FOR PENNSYLVANIA-SIRED 3-YEAR-OLDS KEYSTONE CLASSICS 2010 $338,200 Total 3-Year-Old Purses In 2009-2nd & Final Sustaining Payment: $400- To be raced at The Meadows 3-year-old Colt & Gelding Trot on Tuesday, Sept. 14 3-year-old Filly Trot on Wednesday, Sept. 15 3-year-old Colt & Gelding Pace on Friday, Sept. 10 3-year-old Filly Pace on Friday, Sept. 17 Starting Fee- $400 BREEDERS CROWN NO. 22 Total Guaranteed Value of $1,650,000 In 2010 2nd & Final Sustaining Payment: Horse & Gelding -- $1,500, Mares -- $1,000 To race Saturday, October 9 at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs Eliminations, if necessary, to race Saturday, October 2 (February 15 nomination payment was necessary to be eligible) Starting Fees: Open Trot $12,000-Open Pace-$10,000 Mare Pace $6,000-Mare Trot $5,000 Supplemental declarations are due & payable on Monday, September 27 at 12:00 noon For more information about supplements, please contact the office