2017 HORSE RACING SEASON

THE OPENING OF THE SEASON SATURDAY 25TH MARCH 2017

Overall Conditions for Group Races :  Unless otherwise stated, Group Races will have the following benchmarks : G1 : 60+, G2 :  55+, G3 :  50+
Souce and more information  : The Mauritius Turf Club website : www.mauritiusturfclub.com

This beautiful place is waiting for you...one month to go!

THE DUCHESS OF YORK CUP

The Duchess of York Cup was run for the first time in Mauritius on 1st of June 1927.  It was on the occasion of the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York to the island of Mauritius.  The winner was Zinovieff who belonged to Mr Adrien Dalais.  Nearly a decade later, Mauritians will relate the Duchess of York to ...H.E. Sarah Ferguson, who did come to Mauritius after her wedding in 1986.

On Saturday 25th March 2017, The Duchess of York Cup will be the highlight of the first meeting of the season.  The distance : 1400 metres, Group 2 (55+) and benchmark 40+ (handicap race).  Eligibility : open to newly imported horses (unraced in Mauritius) with a Mauritian rating of 40 or more.

SOME NAMES OF THE NEWLY IMPORTED HORSES YOU MAY WISH TO JOT DOWN

Olive Garden, Sierra Redwood, Executive Power, Ole Gunnar, Charleston Hero, Redwood Valley, Zagazig, Rebel Alliance...

WINNER OF THE DUCHESS OF YORK CUP 2016

Night in Seattle was the winner of the Duchess of York Cup 2016 with the Mauritian Jockey R. Joorawon on its back.  Souvenir photos :

WATCH THE RACE IN STYLE

Make the most of your day at the Champ de Mars.  No stress on how to get there and what to eat or drink during the day.  Just pack an elegant dress and a hat if you like wearing hats.  Home made food and a variety of drinks (champaign, beer, wine, cocktails, juice, you name it, we serve it) will be available during the whole day.  Betting station inside the box as well as two just outside.  No hassle...Book your seat at the Crown Lodge: jritter@crown-lodge.net or call : + 230 52 29 96 21

THE ONE STOP LODGE

The Winning Post is a few metres from the balcony of the Crown Lodge.  Drink your champaign, let the sun caress you and watch your horse win !

The ambiance at the Champ de Mars at this specific point is nowhere to be found on the planet !  You need to experience this 'standing and jumping ovation' ! The highlight of your stay in Mauritius!

YOUR PREFERRED HOST, JACQUES, IMPATIENT TO WELCOME YOU

His Panama hat is always on; he is always on the go to make sure you are having the best time ever.. unfailing hospitality that you will find hard to forget kilometres away, back home...

FOLLOW YOUR PASSION

We read on the net that 'Passion needs to meet experience, expertise and ability that is distilled into your one big idea.  That intersection is your story' !  Thanks to the person who wrote these words. Your idea of spending a day at the Crown Lodge will be your story worth telling, a treasure you will pack in your suitcase to share with family and friends.  Unforgettable moments...  The 2017 adventure starts on the 25th of March and ends on the 3rd of December.

SEE YOU SOON

Check the flights to Mauritius, book your seats, book your hotel and finally book your day at the Crown Lodge.  Jacques will look after you from start to finish.  www.crown-lodge.net 

Credit Photo : Emmanuel Gelb - Blogger

Thanks for your trust.

KEEPING IT UP UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN

KEEPING OUR HORSES IN GOOD CONDITION

Our first blog since the new year ... and hopefully interesting news to tell you about !

First of all, it is now confirmed, 37 racing fixtures have been authorised for the 2017 season, so we shall have 37 times the opportunity to take you for a ride in our horse racing world and you will have 37 times the opportunity to write a beautiful story on your adventure with the Crown Lodge...

It is said that passion will get you up early as well as keep you up late...Horse lovers are by nature early birds and they will not miss horse training even if it starts at 05h00 in the morning.  We wish to share with you some pictures Jacques has personally taken at the crack of dawn, at the lovely Guy Desmarais Training Centre in Floréal...

Tropical summertime bloom !

Golden Trumpet Allamanda.  This beautiful flower grows everywhere in Mauritius. Aren't they lovely ? and they do not really need to be nurtured. 

Did you know that flowers are Jacques' second passion  😉 and have you noticed how lovely the flower boxes are at the Mauritius Turf Club?  A delight for the eyes...

Flowers, flowers, flowers, so beautiful...

It is great to be able to experience the early morning horse racing training.  It forms part of all the adventure and passion.  It leads the path to the amazing and stunning moments we are graced with from March to December at the Champ de Mars. Only two months to go!  Can't wait to share them with you.

No Rest for the Brave ...

Some news you may find of interest...

The Mauritian, Kersley Ramsamy once more represented Mauritius at the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Apprentice World Championship that was held in Oman on Friday 20th January.

What's on the menu for the 2017 season?

84 new horses already in place and 15 more arriving until end of January 2017.  We heard from the grapewine that more will be acquired soon... keep reading and make the right plans 😊 tap a button and get a ride or plant your idea of visiting us at the Crown Lodge and make it grow...

See you very soon

Jacques and Team

PLAN YOUR TRAVEL FOR 2017 AND MAKE YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE

FIXTURES FOR 2017

Before we talk about the 2017 season, we sincerely hope you all had a Peaceful Christmas and that Santa Claus filled generously your shoes...

As promised in our last blog, we are pleased to let you have the provisional dates for the 2017 fixtures and hope we shall have the pleasure to share many enjoyable and unforgettable Saturdays with you during the forthcoming season:

Saturday 25th March - The Duchess of York Cup

April : Saturday 01st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th

May : Saturday 06th, 13th, 20th, 27th

June : Saturday 03rd, 10th, 17th, 24th

July : Saturday 1st - The Barbé Cup, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th

August : Saturday 5th, 12th, 19th

September : Sunday 03rd The Maiden Cup, Saturday 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th

October : Saturday 07th, 14th, 21st, The Duke of York Cup on the 28th

November : Saturday 04th, 11th, 18th, 25th

December : The International Jockey's Week End on the 2nd and 3rd December

We look forward to spoil you again in 2017 !

Out with the old, in with the new, may you be Happy the whole year through !

The New Year lies ahead with books to be read and adventures to be led, make the Crown Lodge one of your 2017 adventures

A New Year is like a blank book and the pen is in your hands, it is your chance to write a beautiful story for yourself... we shall give you lots to write after your vist at 'The Place To Be'

See you in 2017 

from Jacques and Team

LIGHTING UP THE HOLIDAY SEASON

THE TWO-DAY DECEMBER MEETING KNOWN AS THE 'INTERNATIONAL WEEK END' LIGHTED UP THE HOLIDAY SEASON ONCE AGAIN ON SATURDAY 3RD AND SUNDAY 4TH DECEMBER

It was 'the' week end for the horse racing passionates with the two-day December meeting known as the 'International week end' at the Champ de Mars.  It was the closing up of the hippic season but the lighting up of the holiday season.

LADY RIDERS

Ladies first !  Lara Le Geay won the World Fegentri Championship on Mr Oshkosh who missed the start!  But she fought like a lionness in the final straight  and got the better of Lividus who had Larissa Biess on its back.  Hana Jurankova who was riding Black Gambit had to settle 3rd and Celina Webber finished 4th.

Presentation time...

About to throw my cap...

She threw it, lucky who caught it !

GLORY TO FRANCE !

Maxime Guyon has been crowned champion jockey for the 2016 International Jockeys' weekend with 44 points in front of James Winks (Australia), 26 points.  We understand he is still cruising in second gear as he won the 'Prix des Vagues' on Taghir Tash and the 'Prix de Breuils' on Galantes Tigresses in Deauville last Thursday!  Keep it up Maxime!

Congratulations Mr Guyon!

TRAINERS' COMPETITION

Chitranjan Ramdin was thrilled as he was on the higest level of the big stage this international week end; he won the Trainers' crown with 36 points, 4 ahead of Ramapatee Gujadhur.  On the 3rd level of the podium stood Patrick Merven with 30 points.

GUESTS COMMENTS ON THE CROWN LODGE

As a regular racegoer in the UK, having visited numerous meetings and festivals (Cheltenham and Royal Ascot) over the years, I was eargerly looking forward to visiting the Champ de Mars and Crown Lodge whilst on honeymoon in Mauritius.  I was not disappointed.  Jacques is a genial host and ensures all his guests are looked after.  The Crown Lodge balcony is situated almost on the finishing line and the hills and mountains behind proivde a spectacular backdrop to the racing.  It's a small right hand oval around 7 furlongs round and you can see everything from the box, (basically Chester in reverse).  The food is of high standard and Jacques delights in ensuring everyone's glass is fully topped up at all times.  You don't have to have a knowledge of racing to enjoy the day.  It's a great day out and not to be missed in Mauritius!

The best seats for those who want a sun tan during a raceday...

Jacques, the host 'génial'with his guests !

From Gilbert Dépret, France : Un grand MERCI à Jacques et à toute l'équipe pour cette journée inoubliable au Champ de Mars... Accueil et accompagnement remarquables, excellente ambiance dans la loge et cerise sur le gateau, le tour de piste à bord de la voiture pour accompagner les équipages de la 7ème course (bruits, sensations, rythme, vitesse, 2 minutes mémorables...).  Merci Jacques.

A 'to do' experience, full of emotions

Watching the race so close is 'something'...

SOME SOUVENIR PICS OF THIS MEMORABLE WEEK END

Entertainment between the races...

We hope you have enjoyed the sharing of these moments brought to you by the Crown Lodge.  Check our boog as we shall keep you posted on trackworks when available.  We shall also publish the 2017 program soon so that you can make your travel plans and book your seats at the Crown Lodge in time 😄Merry Christmas from us and be blessed for 2017.  We raise our glass and say thanks for your support and hope to see you very soon ! 

Cheers !

Jacques and Team

THE INTERNATIONAL WEEK END IS FINALLY HERE - LET'S CELEBRATE

THE INTERNATIONAL WEEK END AT THE CHAMP DE MARS IS A RENDEZ-VOUS NOT TO BE MISSED, A SHOW YOU MUST WATCH AND SOUVENIRS YOU MUST PACK IN YOUR SUITCASE AND BRING HOME... AND SHARE ! 

LET'S HAVE A LOOK AT SOME SOUVENIR PICS OF 2015

Sponsored by Air Mauritius and Attitude in 2015 and ... in 2016

LADIES WEAR YOUR ELEGANT HATS ON SATURDAY AND A SEXY SAREE ON SUNDAY - THE COMPETION IS ON AGAIN...

ALL EYES ON THE 'CAVALIERES' - ENJOY THE SHOW...

The Mauritius-Longines World Fegentri Championship for Lady Riders...

THEY ARE BACK THIS YEAR AGAIN

'Racing remains an event that brings Mauritians together' says Mr Marc Lagesse and it is so true..

THE LOCAL BEER PHOENIX 'NOU LA BIERRE'... AND THAT OF OUR GUESTS

ATTEND A RACE DAY IN STYLE AT THE CROWN LODGE... 

WINNING MOMENTS FOR ALL OUR GUESTS

FROM START TO FINISH YOU WILL BE LOOKED AFTER BY JACQUES AND HIS TEAM

SOME TIPS FROM US THIS SATURDAY

In the main race the two best horses are Candy Rock and Super Glue but Bandido Caballero and even Track Master with their good finish should be watched.  In the 2nd race, Political Power with its first draw, is a normal favourite.  But, Anafesto with Champion Mendizabal on board, could have its first win in Mauritius.  Nadas who worked very well during track works should be watched.  4th race : looks very interesting with the last time winner Suzie's Arrow.  But Dawn Raid who will be well placed as it holds the third draw, will have a very good run.  Schachar should be ignored if he manages to lead as it drew 4th. Rambullion who showed a fantastic finish last time could be in the quartet.  Good Luck !

WE CAN'T WAIT TO WELCOME YOU AT THE CROWN LODGE DURING THIS EXCITING AND FASTASTIC WEEK END - COME ON AND FEEL GOOD !

THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING TO EXPERIENCE A RACE DAY AT THE CROWN LODGE - YOU WON'T BE DECEIVED, WE PROMISE !  A DIFFERENCE...