Once upon a time, Channel’s story…
C’est un beau roman, c’est une belle histoire…. goes a French ballad. “It’s a beautiful novel, it’s a beautiful story” indeed. The plot which culminated with Channel’s memorable victory in the Prix de Diane proved an unforgettable adventure for Samuel de Barros and his wife, Elodie, the couple at the helm of the Haras des Authieux. A story only horse racing could produce, a novel where the horse takes centerstage, featuring a star named Channel. Channel
Love at first sight
You could almost almost say the passion for horseracing came as a part of marriage
dowry for Samuel de Barros. Nothing in the background of this Parisian lawyer, specialized in business law, lover of art and history, predisposed him to breeding and racing horses. Nothing unless you look at thoroughbreds as works of art. Samuel de Barros loves what is beautiful. He and his wife, an avid horseback rider from a young age, undertook to revive the historic Haras des Authieux, in the Orne region’s Merlerault countryside. It was in the process he became passionate about horses. But where Elodie “trots”, Samuel “gallops”. The thoroughbred moved him more than the trotter, Flat “trots”, racing gave him a thrill, electrified him… It was love at first sight! So, with the help of agent Bertrand Le Métayer, he started a quest to build his own stock, scouting fillies out of the competition, aiming for excellence, as a steppingstone into the game. The year was 2017. The first thoroughbred broodmare to arrive at Les Authieux was Embiyra, bred by H.H. the Aga Khan, purchased at the sales n England. Half a dozen others would follow, with similar profiles.
Cloud nine at the Prix de Diane
Whether in pre-training, at Philippe Prévost-Baratte’s in Normandy, or in training, at Francis-Henri Graffard’s yard in Chantilly, Channel progressed step by step. Calm, easy to handle – qualities that are typical of the family, she took everything in stride, delivered when asked and learned quickly. She was never pushed. Time and patience were of the essence, and there was no pressure on anyone from Samuel de Barros. The owner enjoyed the positive progress reports as the weeks and months went by. Channel did not start as a 2-years-old, but 3-year-old classic entries were on her horizon and even before her racing debut, Samuel de Barros held high expectations.
Channel’s first outing came on March 29, 2019, in Saint-Cloud; she pleased by placing second, behind a protégée of André Fabre, in the colors of Coolmore’s associates. From the start, Samuel de Barros was playing in the big league! Four weeks later, at Lyon-Parilly, the filly easily scored her first win, ridden for the first time by Pierre-Charles Boudot. It had only taken two tries for the colours of Samuel de Barros to shine on a racecourse. Onto the bigger stage twenty days later, at Chantilly, on the course of the Prix de Diane, for the Prix de la Chapelle-en-Serval, a Class 1 race; a significant step up for Channel. She easily dominated a quality field with a half a dozen fillies who had already earned their “black-type” status or would soon confirm it. The path was paved for the Prix de Diane. D-day came on June 16, 2019.It was Father’s Day in France. Could it be a sign? Indeed, several members of Channel‘s entourage -the Barros, Pierre-Charles Boudot, Bertrand Le Métayer- lost their fathers early in life. Always there in spirit, their presence was felt even stronger with the Prix de Diane falling on such an auspicious day. The race could not unfold any better. Channel jumped well from the stalls, easing on Pierre-Charles Boudot’s hand. The jockey placed her in a stalking position, close to the lead, well covered; she doesn’t pull, preserving her stamina. Halfway down the right-hand stretch, the filly broke away away under her jockey’s encouragements; she put in a decisive effort to take the lead, before accelerating again, nearing to the post, to secure victory. Samuel de Barros was on cloud nine. Without doubt he became one of the rare few owners to ever capture, with his first and only horse-in-in-training, a classic like the Prix de Diane. Shortly afterwards, the president of France Galop, Edouard de Rothschild, would tweet: “This is the victory of the new generation: bravo! There a future for gallop in France.”
The saga continues
Samuel de Barros then made wise choices. After an attempt in England, his champion gave signs over the summer that she may be past perform. Far from running poorly, she still did not show her true self in the GR1 Prix Vermeille. So, without lingering, he decided to retire his classic filly, out of respect for her achievements and considering she had nothing more to prove -except maybe, in the breeding shed. Welcoming Channel as a broodmare, was a pinnacle of joy, a tribute to the extraordinary individual who had given him everything in racing. The story was coming full circle. Her breeding who had given him everything in racing. The story was coming full circle. Her breeding potential was priceless for her fulfilled owner, no matter what offer may come on the table.
Channel, has now joined Les Authieux. The ideal environment sets the perfect frame for the work of art she proved to be. Needless to say, she was presented to the best stallions from the start. This year, she had her first foal, a filly by Sea The Stars, she was tested in foal to Kingman. She retired safe and sound, without ever having been pressured in competition. There is every chance her achievements at stud will mirror her performances on the track. Thus, the saga continues for Samuel and Elodie de Barros.
Haras des Authieux - 2024