Tom George is set to take over the training of Il Est Francais for the upcoming jumps season, marking a pivotal change for the seven-year-old horse. Previously trained by George’s son, Noel George, and his training partner Amanda Zetterholm at their base in France, Il Est Francais achieved notable success in 2022, winning the prestigious Prix Renaud du Vivier under Tom George’s guidance.
This transition comes as connections regard Il Est Francais as being at a “crossroads” in his career. The horse will now be based in Gloucestershire, moving away from his previous training grounds in Chantilly. Notably, the ownership has shifted, with Richard and Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes now solely responsible for the horse.
George explained that many promising French horses often switch to English ownership. He noted, “So many of the good young French horses are being made in France then being sold to English owners, but then you get to a crossroads when some of them that stay over there longer like Il Est Francais and the programme is probably better laid out for him in England.” This decision aligns with the shared goal among all parties involved to ensure the horse’s best interests.
The Kelvin-Hughes family has been supportive of Noel George since his training career began, and they view this transition positively. “It’s all been done amicably and everyone is wishing each other the best of luck,” Tom George remarked. This cooperative spirit underscores the family dynamics involved in the decision.
Il Est Francais has previously shone at Kempton, particularly during the Christmas meeting. In 2023, he delivered an impressive performance, winning the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase. The horse narrowly missed out on victory in the following year’s King George VI Chase, an event that George now targets as a primary objective for the horse’s new chapter.
As the training begins, George is pleased with how Il Est Francais has settled into his new environment. “We haven’t made any concrete plans yet but the most important thing is he’s settled in, he’s in full work and loving life,” he said. This enthusiasm is crucial as the team prepares a route to the King George, which will include a preparatory run in England.
This change in training direction is noteworthy, as Tom George’s operation has largely focused on France in recent years. He commented on the evolution of their strategy, stating, “When we set up the operation in France it was very much a family operation… it was always going to be geared about what is best for each horse at a specific time.”
Despite the prior focus on France, George remains committed to nurturing high-quality horses, ensuring that the approach remains flexible and responsive to each horse’s needs. He reflected on the success of their French training operation, acknowledging, “It has gone unbelievably well and better than all expectations.”
As Il Est Francais embarks on this new journey with Tom George, the horse racing community will be watching closely. The synergy between the new training team and the owners is expected to enhance the horse’s prospects as he aims for high-profile races in the upcoming season.
