Young Dubois’ Reelclass Start

26 Jan Young Dubois’ Reelclass Start

Aspiring trainer Pierre Dubois, tasted success for the first time as a trainer on Monday, with his filly Reelclass winning the Twinstar Racing F&M Maiden Plate (1400m) at Goulburn. Jean Van Overmeire was in the saddle.

The young Frenchman is currently assistant trainer to his father Jean as the pair are setting things in place to get a partnership licence, all going well will be set-up at the start of next season.

Reelclass is one of a handful of horses that Pierre, as owner of the filly, has been taking control of the training program and has been given a loose rein by his father.

“It was a very pleasing win and one I won’t forget for a long time as I know the family of this filly quite well and to get that first win is an amazing feeling,” Dubois said after the race.

Reelclass is by No Nay Never and out of the imported mare Reeltop, who was a gift to Dubois from his Grandfather, to get his breeding and racing journey in Australia underway.

“She is the second foal from the mare and it is special to get my first win with a horse out of Reeltop for the family.

“She looked well placed at Goulburn after her previous two starts at Canberra. I took a lot out of the first-up run and then I was looking to trial her locally but with the heavy rain there weren’t many options, so I took her back there for another race where she just needed the run and then she looked well placed here today.

“I didn’t have to say too much to Jean (Van Overmeire) as he knows how the stable operates and he showed great poise when he couldn’t get cover at the turn but decided not to fight it but just let her be, then got her going when he had the clear run.”

Reelclass has always shown Dubois plenty of ability but the filly has required some patience on the way through, which was rewarded today.

“She can be a bit of a tricky filly sometimes and she has had some issues previously with her hoof and her track-rider of a morning does an excellent job with her as she isn’t the easiest horse to ride.

“I’m really lucky to have the facilities here at home (Woodpark Stud) and she can stay in the yard during the day and then we can bring them in the stable at night if need be.”

Dubois is currently based at his family’s farm, Woodpark Stud, in Mittagong but has travelled around the world learning from some of the best there is.

He has spent time working for trainers such as Gai Waterhouse and David Hayes here in Australia, Wesley Ward in America, Karl Burke in England as well as spending plenty of time with his mother and father who are excellent horse-people growing up in France and then moving ‘down-under’.

“I am in a fortunate position where I can train alongside my father to get things going and he has been a very good person to work with as I continue to learn and prepare to train in my name,” Dubois said.

Reelclass will likely head back to Goulburn where she will be spot on for her next start and then all going well she could run in the Canberra Guineas Prelude.

Reelclass winning at Goulburn for Pierre Dubois.