Romain Derieux seen by his entourage

Like any child from the inner circle, Romain Derieux has been immersed in racing since a very young age. “In the morning, he trotted horses with me before leaving for school and in the evening, his first job was to read ParisTurf. Very early on, I knew he was going to take up the profession” remembers his dad Louis, who was a trainer for 25 years and who still manages the Ril family breeding farm. Having worked at AFASEC in Grosbois, then apprenticed with Laurent-Claude Abrivard, Romain Derieux then worked alongside Alain Laurent, a friend of his father Louis, who quickly detected the outstanding human and professional qualities of his apprentice. “He’s an exceptional boy!” declares the master trainer. “I am delighted to have been able to collaborate with him and make my small contribution to his training. We had a great time during his visits to the stable. He is someone who is kind to horses; an iron fist in a velvet glove. With him, the man/horse construction takes place continuously.” Words that weigh in the mouth of such a professional.

The taste for risk

David Békaert, who worked for a year alongside Romain Derieux at the Haras de l’Orne, with Albert Cayron, agrees with his illustrious colleague: “He was already a very meticulous, orderly and hard-working person. He took a risk by settling down at a young age but it paid off.” Antonio De Sousa noticed these qualities too. When the man of Go On Boy set up on his own in 2007, he quickly placed his trust in it, becoming over time its largest owner. “I knew Romain when he was an apprentice with Alain Laurent. He was shy, very serious and showed that he wanted it. I accompanied him when he settled in. We have had many victories (Editor’s note: they won 500 races) and great joys together, culminating in the success of Dijon in the Elitloppet in 2019. Today, I have around fifty horses in training at his place, under the colors of my wife. We also have around fifteen broodmares associated with the breeding. I like to visit him in Cheptainville (91) and exchange with him. What’s good about Romain is that when he has something to tell you, he tells you. We talk a lot. And then, he’s not afraid. If he has to go racing abroad, he goes. He likes challenges and I like that. I consider him my son, he is part of the family.” explains the entrepreneur.

A game of poker and a good restaurant

We understand, humility and work are the leitmotifs of Romain Derieux’s success. But what is his personality? Pascal Guilbaut, former amateur and close friend of the Essonne coach, enlightens us: “He’s a reserved guy, who doesn’t give his trust easily but when he gives it to you, he’s a golden guy, who likes to joke and joke around. He enjoys poker games with friends and especially good restaurants.” Former owner of the Lou Pantail restaurant in Nice and owner of the horse of the same name at Romain Derieux, Jean-Paul Nespolo spends a lot of time with his friend when he travels to Cagnes. He testifies: “It’s always a pleasure to share a good table with Romain after the races. He is a discreet and humble boy, who has a love of detail. As a former restaurateur, I often say: detail makes perfection, but perfection is not a detail. This sentence sums it up well. He is interested in many subjects and his great strength is listening. He also knows how to take it when things go badly but take advantage when everything goes well.”

All behind him

And at the moment, everything is going well for Romain Derieux. With already 10 victories in 30 attempts since the start of the year, the developer is moving forward calmly towards the biggest challenge of his career. “I am proud of his journey. Running the Prix d’Amérique at your age, with a horse that has a first chance and that belongs to you, is not given to everyone” savors Louis, his father, while David Békaert, who will be his opponent on Sunday in the sulky of Fakir de Maheyin fact his favorite: “Go On Boy arrives at the top of his art for the Prix d’Amérique, thanks to the work of Romain. He knew how to be patient. Seeing him win in “Belle” would be anything but a surprise. I would be very happy for him. He’s a good person who deserves what’s happening to him.” As for Alain Laurent, he prefers “don’t say anything for Sunday, just cross your fingers for him and his horse.” The last word will be for Jean-Paul Nespolo, who will travel to the Temple du Trot on Sunday to support his friend: “I hope he will make us “Pantailler”.

(*dream in Nice). »

Find here the full statements of our interlocutors:

Louis Derieux, his father

“Romain was immersed in the profession very early on. In the morning, he trotted horses with me before leaving for school and in the evening, his first job was to read Paris Turf. He also had a pony and won club competitions. Very early on, I knew he was going to take up the profession. He did AFASEC in Grosbois and was well trained by Laurent-Claude Abrivard and Alain Laurent. In life, he doesn’t give speeches but doesn’t make many mistakes with horses. I am proud of his journey. Running the Prix d’Amérique at your age, with a horse that has a first chance and that belongs to you, is not given to everyone.”

Jean-Paul Nespolo, owner, former restaurateur and friend

“With Romain, it’s now been around ten years since we met. He is a discreet and humble boy, who has a love of detail. As a former restaurateur, I often say: detail makes perfection, but perfection is not a detail. This sentence sums up Romain well. I immediately found myself in him at work. He is interested in many subjects and his great strength is listening. When it comes to horses, he is very honest and explains things well to his owners. I learn a lot alongside him. He deserves his success because he works hard. He knows how to take it when things go badly but also take advantage when everything goes well. It’s always a pleasure to share a good table with him after the races. Currently, we are experiencing a great adventure with our foal Lou Pantail and Sunday, I will be in Vincennes to support him. I hope he will make us “Pantailler*” (*dream in Nice).

David Békaert, driver and best friend in racing

“We met at Albert Cayron, at the time of the Haras de l’Orne. We worked together for a year and became friends. He was already a very meticulous, orderly and hardworking person. Everything is perfect with him. He took risks by setting up at a young age with already quite a few horses under his responsibility, but it paid off. Even though Antonio De Sousa immediately supported him, he did a hell of a job. He became a top trainer and a top driver. He has one hell of a hand. I was in Solvalla during the victory of Dijon in the Elitloppet. It was a great moment. We also experienced great things thanks to Anzi des Liards. On Sunday I will be his opponent but as I have already declared, he will be my favorite. Go On Boy arrives at the top of his art for the Prix d’Amérique, thanks to the work of Romain. He knew how to be patient, while not hesitating to try adventures abroad. Seeing him win in “Belle” would be anything but a surprise. I would be very happy for him. He’s a good person who deserves what’s happening to him. He doesn’t have many vices, except maybe poker and tattoos (laughs).”

Alain Laurent, his trainer

Antonio De Sousa, its historic owner

“I knew Romain when he was an apprentice with Alain Laurent. He was shy but very serious and showed he wanted it. I immediately trusted him when he settled in. We have experienced many victories and great joys together, culminating in the success of Dijon in the Elitloppet in 2019. Today, I have around fifty horses in training at his place, under the colors of my wife. We also have around fifteen broodmares associated with the breeding. I like to visit him in Cheptainville and talk with him. What’s good about Romain is that when he has something to tell you, he tells you. We talk a lot. What I also like about him is that he is not afraid. If he has to go racing abroad, he goes. He likes challenges and I like that. I consider him my son, he is part of the family.”

Pascal Guilbaud, former amateur and close friend

“Even though I don’t ride horses much anymore since my accident, I regularly go to see Romain, who lives half an hour from him. We’ve been friends since he moved here in 2007. A reserved guy, he doesn’t give his trust easily but when he gives it to you, he’s a golden guy, who likes to joke and joke around. When it comes to work, he is very meticulous, he leaves nothing to chance. When he detects something in a horse, he knows how to be patient but also sorts things out when necessary. He succeeded thanks to his talent. He puts the horses in his hand and I have often seen great drivers add weight by passing behind him. I can tell you that he worked hard to get there. When he first started, I saw him sleeping in his truck. Since then, a great establishment has been set up with perfect structures. Everything is done for the well-being of the horses. Even if it is far from won, on Sunday, Go On Boy can bring him consecration. That would make me very happy because he deserves it.”

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Monday July 29, 2024 in Cagnes-sur-Mer: Romain Derieux hits the nail on the head!

The number: 26

Since his installation in 2007, Romain Derieux has won 26 Groups. 11 Group III, 8 Group II and 7 Group I (4 with Dijon and 3 with Go On Boy).