Recently third in the Prix de Nancy with CarloforteJaap Van Rijn has not yet opened his account at Vincennes. Originally from the Netherlands, the 29-year-old driver has 18 victories in France, on racecourses in the North and North-East of France. “To go to Vincennes, it takes us six hours so it’s not as easy”specifies the driver. For about two years, Jaap Van Rijn has been working for Dutch coach Jeroen Engwerda, considered one of the best in the Netherlands. “I took over from Rick Ebbinge, who was a great champion (editor’s note, he has more than 1,000 victories abroad). I get along very well with Jeroen. He has very good French horses as well as for us. In France, I most often come to racecourses like La Capelle or Le Croisé-Laroche.”
Mick N.Boko and Carloforte Font, two good horses
Asked about the team’s good chances, he explains that he and his trainer only have “Not many horses can come to Vincennes, but we hope to have a few this winter. Mick N. Boko ran on Sunday (October 27) in Enghien. He trotted in 1’10”5 in the last kilometer. He’s a good horse, who remains nervous. He runs more and more and we learn more about him. We hope to return with him this winter, just as with Carlofortewho was good today (October 29)in a difficult race. With number 1, it’s always complicated. I fought to take the lead and appeal attacked me well on the climb. He sprinted well to finish. With a better course, he could have won this race. I’ve never been too lucky with him here.”
“Vincennes is the best racecourse for drivers”
Indeed, the Vincennes racecourse is renowned for being selective, and Jaap Van Rijn knows that he must race more often on this track to improve. “It’s the best racecourse in France for drivers. But it’s not easy, especially when you don’t come often. You have to try and race regularly here to be good, which is what I try to do. I almost always drive for my coach. Dominik Locqueneux, who is Belgian and speaks Dutch, also uses my services, but this remains occasional. I remain available to everyone. I don’t close any doors.” For his trainer or for another, Jaap Van Rijn has not yet unlocked his counter in Paris, but does not hide that this remains a goal for him. “I have never won here at Vincennes, nor at Enghien. I hope it happens, it would be a great achievement for me. I try (laughs), and I think that this objective can be achieved, particularly with Carloforte.” We wish him all the best for this winter meeting.
