Gold Circle Pty (Ltd)

Today's Racing :

Gallic Saint overcomes saddle-girth fear

David Thiselton
When a horse makes its debut beyond its three-year-old year the usual assumptions would be that it has had serious soundness issues.
Racegoers who glanced at their racecard last Sunday at Scottsville to see the six-year-old Bart Rice-trained Gallic Saint making his debut might, therefore, have been expecting him to be accompanied by a wheelchair.
However, Gallic Saint is, in fact, perfectly sound.
Rather, he proved himself as a young horse to have been more naturally inclined towards rodeo than horseracing.
His original trainer, exasperated by the horse's unwillingness to be broken in, even after gelding, eventually returned him to the breeder. He consequently arrived at the Rice yard as an unraced five-year-old last September.
The Rice’s weren’t immediately aware of anything untoward about the strapping 16 hands 2 inch bay and describe him as “a very gentle and kind horse, who would never intentionally hurt anybody”.
The problem became evident the first time they tightened his girth.
“He immediately bolted forward,” said Rice.
“The two handlers holding him were suddenly treading water at 40km per hour and had to let go!”
He only galloped about 50m away before stopping and then had to be patted and consoled.
The Rice's had to change their approach.
“We would girth him to one notch only, walk him around talking to him, then girth him another notch and repeat the process.”
He gradually conquered his fear of the girth, but the first time they put a rider aboard he bolted forward once again and then showed skills as a bucking bronco that would have attracted the attention of a passing by Texan. The rider was soon on the ground.
The Monty Roberts methods were then adopted.
Keeping him still, the rider would lie across the saddle, building up the horse's confidence and trust. He would then be lead around.
Bart’s wife, Pam, did most of the riding and “Crazy” (Gallic Saint’s yard nickname) built up a tremendous bond of trust with her.
Having finally broken him in, he proved impossible at the starting pens until Pam led him forward, at which point he walked straight in.
The Rice’s are grateful to Lucien Africa and Ryan Curling for the work they have done with “Crazy”.
“They both trusted our advice,” said Rice.
“He can’t be mounted at a walk, as he will be galloping before the rider is in the saddle, and the rider must also sit softly and quietly for a while after mounting.
“If the right approach is used he is fine.”
Gallic Saint is by Gallic League out of a Del Sarto mare and was bred by Connington Stud, He made a satisfactory debut over 1 400m, finishing in sixth, 10 lengths back.
He will come on from the run and will be better over 2000m and upward, so looks to have a chance of winning a race or two.

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