HAPPY APRIL FOOL'S DAY - SATURDAY 01ST APRIL 2017

HOW IT STARTED...

The Duchess of York cup on Saturday 25th March was a 'full house' at the Champ de Mars.  Ready to Attack with Swapneel Rama on its back won the cup.  The electric ambiance is certainly back.  The show has begun!

1ST OF APRIL - WHO WILL BE FOOLED ? 

None of Crown Lodge's guest, rest assured !  2nd meeting of the season and our second opportunity to make your day!  Have a good night's beauty sleep and prepare yourself for unforgettable time at the Champ de Mars tomorrow.

SOME OF THE NEW HORSES IN THE 2017 ADVENTURE 

Le Clos, Shreya's Star, Without a Doubt (top tip in Race 8), Awesome Adam, Rock Hard, Aspara (arrived in Mauritius with a good reputation),  Impressed, Studiolo, (top tip in Race 1), Newsman, Varational, Kimberley... Jacques will let you have the official programme with all the details as soon as you step in ...  and needless to say, tips and valuable recommendations for the day.  Your guide!

The ambiance... the Mauritan Saturday fever..

Above the typical ambiance under the trees in between the races, the Mauritian style...

Below : 

THE HAPPY FACES 

IN ALL PRIVACY IN THE COSY LODGE...

Guess who's that 'Star' ...

THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY AT THE CROWN LODGE

Souvenir pics of memorable time with our host Jacques

AND THE BEST SPOT TO HOLD YOUR DRINK AND 

ENJOY THE HOME MADE SNACKS

TAKE IT EASY, HAVE FUN, ENJOY YOUR DAY, JACQUES AND HIS TEAM CAN'T WAIT TO WELCOME YOU AT THE CROWN LODGE

DON'T MISS THE PARADE IN BETWEEN THE RACES

TIME TO LEAVE BUT NOT WITHOUT A SOUVENIR PICTURE AND A SPECIAL THOUGHT FOR THE BEAUTIFUL LADIES WHO VISITED

We thank you for your trust and look forward to welcome you at the Crown Lodge.  You will be overwhelmed, promise !  

Jacques and Team

J-1 THE VOCALCOM DUCHESS OF YORK CUP

FIRST CLASSIC OF THE SEASON

Here we go !  The first classic of the season marks the start of a fabulous, long awaited 2017 adventure.  It is said that, when The Duchess of York Cup is run in the first meeting, it favours the horse who has the plentiest of stamina, not the medals !  Let the show begin!

On Tuesday 21st, during training the following horses attracted attention : Ready to Attack, Belong to Me and Hard Day's Night. Belong To Me showed stamina and provided spectators of his amazing abilities without seemingly... little effort!  To follow ...

Robert Khati on the back of Lividus, a good-looking Grey, will make his debut tomorrow... 

Good Luck Robert !

The South African Brandon Lerena is back in Gilbert Rousset's Team. 

Welcome Back Brandon !

The Australian Steven Arnold, the new riding whip of the Gujadhur Trainer impressed...

Keep it up Steven !

A DAY AT THE CHAMP DE MARS, IN STYLE

The Crown Lodge : a set of Premium Services that has a unique perspective on the Champ de Mars. It is located on the VIP balcony and is next door to the box of the President of the Mauritius Turf Club. The strategic locacion allows a magnificient view on the finish line and the 'paddock'...  We take care of EVERYTHING !  Hotel transfers, open bar from start to finish, assistance by a professional team and needless to say, they are horseracing lovers, betting facilities, interaction  with local trainers, well you name it.    'Cerise sur le gateau', you are also covered by insurance !

A RELAXING SPOT WHICH GRADUALLY COMES TO LIFE UNTIL THE ATMOSPHERE BECOMES ELECTRIC !

You said electric atmosphere ?

TRIP ADVISOR : CROWN LODGE WON THE 2016 

EXCELLENCE CERTIFICATE

Jacques is very proud to display the Excellence Certifcate he obtained from Trip Advisor last year.  A certificate he and his team deserve.  118 guests rated his services as Excellent and 18 as Very Good. A few of the comments in the reviews : 

'We attended the Maiden Cup in Sep 2016 - Jacques and team were so hospitable and great fun, and the Mauritius track experience was electric! So much more fun than any UK meet...'

I am not a horse racing person at all but, as I have observed in the past, I love to attend the atmospheric and ancient race track in the heart of Mauritius. My pleasure has been considerably enhanced over the past couple of years with a place in the Crown Lodge Box , hosted by the inimitable Jacques Ritter. The hospitality was all enveloping and the company of the enthusiastic racegoers from around the globe was enervating. One dark cloud on my personal horizon was watching a horse in the Ladies race, stumble and break a leg. It was the first ( and I hope last ) time I have witnessed such a tragedy with the young jockey weeping as the horse was humanely put down. I was angry until a veterinary surgeon, also a guest in the box, explained the complexities of a horse with a broken leg to me. It helped me understand but I still admit that this 72 year old world worn journalist who was present at Hillsborough, Heysel and the Munich Olympics shed a quiet tear or two. But I would recommend the Crown Lounge if you are visiting Mauritius and attend the races, especially for the International Jockey' Weekend the first weekend in December - whether you like horse racing or not.

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