Henri Pouret

The winner of the G2 Sumbe Prix Kergorlay will now be granted automatic entry into the G1 Lexus Melbourne Cup as part of a partnership between France Galop and the Victoria Racing Club (VRC). The Prix Kergorlay, which takes place at Deauville in August, joins the GII Belmont Gold Cup in the United States and the Ebor Handicap in Britain as the only Golden Ticket qualifiers for the Melbourne Cup held outside of Australia. In 2010, the Alain de Royer-Dupré-trained Americain (Dynaformer) became the first horse to complete the Prix...

Guillaume Herrnberger, currently managing director of AFASEC, has been appointed to the role of deputy managing director of France Galop, alongside Henri Pouret who has held the same title since February 2024. France Galop will now be managed in tandem by Pouret and Herrnberger, both of whom will report to the president, Guillaume de Saint-Seine, who chaired a meeting of the Board of Directors on Monday. The appointment of Herrnberger and changes to the leadership structure follow the departure of Elie Hennau from his role as managing director last month....

Elie Hennau has left his role as managing director of France Galop with immediate effect, according to reports published in Jour de Galop and Paris-Turf. France Galop president Guillaume de Saint-Seine confirmed the news to staff on Friday afernoon. He said, "Elie Hennau is stepping down from his position as managing director. We would like to thank him for his work and commitment to the industry over the past two years. We wish him every success in his future endeavours."  Hennau, a former amateur rider with a business background in...

Brant Dunshea, acting CEO of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), has been elected vice-chair of the European and Mediterranean Horseracing Authority (EMHF). Dunshea becomes one of three EMHF vice-chairs and will represent its member countries which are European and outside the European Union, with the others being the Channel Islands, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey. He fills the vacancy created when former BHA CEO, Julie Harrington, left that organisation at the end of last year. Dunshea said, "I'm honoured to take on this role and look forward to working with new...

Henri Pouret has taken over from Brian Kavanagh as the new Chairman of the European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation (EMHF). Kavanagh said, "My time as Chairman of EMHF has been very satisfying and stimulating. There are excellent people working in the horse racing sector throughout the region and it has been a privilege to get to know them. The EMHF has a key role to play in the development and advancement of horse racing and I know that, with Henri Pouret coming in as Chairman and Paull Khan continuing as...

Henri Pouret has been named as the next chairman of the European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation (EMHF) and he will begin his duties on June 1, 2025. An election was held at the EMHF's executive council meeting in Morocco last week to determine Brian Kavanagh's successor. Kavanagh has served in the role since the inception of the EMHF in 2010. Pouret is currently the chief operating officer and deputy chief executive officer of France Galop. He is also the vice-chair of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). Pouret said,...

The European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders' Associations (EFTBA) held its 2024 AGM in Chantilly, France over the weekend of the G1 Prix de Diane Longines, which celebrated the 175th running of the prestigious race and was hosted by the Fédération des Eleveurs du Galop (French TBA). Over the weekend of the AGM, the French TBA, together with France Galop, hosted a series of visits for delegates which included the training gallops and the training yards of Gavin Hernon and Henri-François Devin, as well as Château de Chantilly and the Musée...

Twelve fewer black-type races will be run in Europe in 2024 following the approval of the programme by the European Pattern Committee (EPC) which sounded a note of caution regarding "the reported increasing exports of quality horses overseas". France's Prix Saint-Alary will has been downgraded from Group 1 to Group 2 status and is one of five Group races to have been demoted, while Britain's G3 Sovereign S., traditionally run at Salisbury, will not be staged. In Ireland, the Salsabil S. has been upgraded from a Listed race to a...

Elie Hennau has been appointed director general of France Galop, with Henri Pouret promoted to deputy managing director of the organisation. Pouret, who has been with France Galop for 20 years and was previously the deputy general manager, will remain in charge of racing operations and the management of racecourses and training centres. He will also represent France Galop in international matters.  Hennau, a former amateur rider, has previously been president of the Fegentri organisation for amateurs. With a business background in insurance, he is currently director of the individual...