On Sunday, November 10, 2024, Saint-Cloud witnessed a memorable day for Gérald Mossé. Having retired from an extraordinary career as a jockey last July, the new trainer celebrated his first listed race victory.
A Strategic Win
Contested over 1 1/4 miles (approximately 2,000 meters) at the Val d’Or racecourse, the Prix Solitude (Listed) delivered a thrilling spectacle. Starting 13th out of a 15-filly field, Grand Stars, trained by Gérald Mossé, remained behind the leaders until making her move in the final half-mile. With an impressive acceleration, she recorded the fastest splits in sections 5 and 6, reaching her maximum speed of 38.94 mph (62.68 km/h) between the three-furlong and two-furlong markers. Maintaining a cruising speed of approximately 34.17 mph (55 km/h) under jockey Aurélien Lemaitre, she sustained a steady pace before making a decisive surge to claim her first black-type victory. As a longshot, Grand Stars—formerly trained by Gianluca Bietolini and running for Mossé for the first time—defeated Galaxie Vega (by Lope de Vega) and Better Tomorrow (by No Nay Never), who secured minor black-type honors.
A First Success as a Trainer
Gérald Mossé has always expressed that his passion for horses extends far beyond his career as a jockey, as he recently shared in an interview with Equidia. Despite his exceptional skill in the saddle, few anticipated such a swift ascent as a trainer. This victory, anticipated and realized within Mossé’s first ten starters, underscores his deep understanding of racing and his capacity to dissect every inch of a race. His strategic approach to training and selecting a jockey played a pivotal role in this success.
A Promising Turning Point
For Gérald Mossé, this victory signals the beginning of a new chapter. His maiden triumph as a trainer opens up exciting prospects for himself and his stable. As the racing world observes his early strides, it seems Mossé is determined to craft a new legacy—this time from the other side of the track.