Chantilly

We came back yesterday from Australia, and found ourselves in very strange circumstances. Chantilly, a town where it is normally difficult to find a parking space, has spaces available by the truckload. The Town Library is closed until Mar. 14. The local cinema is closed, and there are very few people in restaurants and cafes. The swimming pool closed for an indefinite period. Beginning Monday, in two French 'departements'--including Oise where Chantilly is--all day nurseries and all schools will be closed for a minimum of 15 days. What about racing?...

In a bid to combat the spread of coronavirus, another three race meetings in France will be run without any spectators under orders from the local authorities in the Oise region, which includes Chantilly. Tuesday's meeting at Chantilly was staged behind closed doors this week along with two at nearby Compiegne, and that has now been extended to next week when the racing at Chantilly on Monday, Tuesday and Friday will be run without members of the public being admitted. A statement released by France Galop on Wednesday read, "At...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Today's Observations features a half-brother to champion 3-year-old Almanzor. 2.25 Chantilly, Debutantes, €25,000, 3yo, c/g, 9 1/2f (AWT) ANOTHER SKY (FR) (Le Havre {Ire}) is an intriguing newcomer on the card which sees the Dubai World Cup trials as a half-brother to the G1 Prix du Jockey Club and...

As one Head retired from the French training ranks in 2018 with a deserved fanfare of tributes, quietly another member of the family added his name to the list of Chantilly trainers some months later. The low-key entrance of Christopher Head was quite deliberate. The 32-year-old son of Freddy and nephew of Criquette--who retired 18 months ago--has worked alongside both his father and his aunt, as well as completing a stint with leading French jumps trainer Guillaume Macaire, but he is determined that when it comes to training, he is...