In the sometimes divisive world of racing, few can claim such unanimous praise, but Chantilly was among the most vocal on July 14.
Gerald Mosse made the trip from Marseille as a teenager in the early 1980s, and from the start of his riding career people talked about “the great Gerald”.
Yes, they are talking about the 57-year-old’s talent, but they are also talking about the coolness that runs through his veins when it matters most. He has been the definition of a great racehorse for most of his 41 years in the saddle.
After announcing his retirement just before his horse was due to run in the Grand Prix de Paris (G1) on July 13, there was still one final race left in the major handicap race on Bastille Day at Chantilly.
It was no coincidence that he was chosen: Shannkiyr was bred by his long-time owner the Aga Khan, trained by Mikel Delzangles and counted Alain de Royer-Dupre among his owners.
And the group was there to see Mosse off, the words of co-owner Pierre-Yves Lefebvre ringing in his ears as he came to ask Delzangles for help: “For the last time, have a safe journey, Gerald.”
As is almost always the case at the end of a great career, Shannkiyr was unable to live up to the moment as he finished 15th out of 16, though it didn’t seem to matter as Mosse returned to a swarm of photographers and well-wishers. And as the riders lined up to form a guard of honour, Mosse was able to keep his promise not to cry.
What is clear when you watch him around his fellow pros is that Mosse has a real connection with riders of all generations, as demonstrated by his earlier banter with Maxime Guyon and Anthony Crastus, who were just 18 months and five years old respectively when their friend won the Arc on Saumarez in 1990.
Mosse was grateful for the warm reception—Royer-Dupre presented him with a bouquet of flowers and a framed photo of Zainta’s 1998 Prix de Diane (G1) win—but judging by his words, he was already looking to the future, and a training career could begin as early as September.
“I was determined to leave when I entered the profession, and with a smile on my face,” Mosse said. “The most important thing is that I have a project to pursue, a project that will prolong my involvement with this sport that I am so passionate about.
“I did what it took to get the permits and buy a parking space and now I am ready to pursue my second career with great ambition.”
Mosse added: “I would be lying if I said the timing wasn’t calculated towards selling the yearlings. I needed to stop before August to spend time meeting potential owners and with the idea of having the horses running for their first time in September.
“I have a beautiful courtyard behind Les Aigles in Chantilly—they say location, location, location is everything—and the whole property has been renovated, so I couldn’t be in better shape.”
The transition can be almost seamless when the people he works with and talks about Mosse’s instincts in the morning. Now all he has to do is find a rider to replace the irreplaceable one in the afternoon.
