From last October to February, Thomas Fourcy managed to win the main four Group Ones for Purebred Arabians including the G1 Arabian World Cup (2000m) at ParisLongchamp. The French trainer, based in the South-West of France, has become the French and international ambassador of Arabian horseracing...

Slender physique and large clear eyes, Thomas Fourcy always displays this shy smile. He has achieved a real feat in recent months, winning all the biggest races in the world reserved for Purebred Arabians sometimes even signing the first two places or even the winning trio. Purebred Arabians have a well-defined programme, with a few dozen races in France, but the elite easily become millionaires and have a very profitable international circuit. The French trainer has made it his playground – and always with total humility.

What was your journey to being involved with horseracing?

My father was a farmer, I was more into tractors than horses! But I was very fond of horses and my mother found a racing school. I come from the North of France. My father had apple orchards and I rode there with ponies from my friends' farm who lived nearby.

I went to racing school next to Chantilly before starting my apprenticeship with Jean de Roualle. I was too tall and I went over jumps with trainer Guillaume Macaire where I rode both on the flat and over jumps. Then Arnaud Chaillé-Chaillé asked me to come and work with him. I stayed there for 10 years, and it was there that I discovered the Purebred Arabians.

For you, is there a difference between Purebred Arabian and Thoroughbreds?

It remains the same (as other breeds) but with a smaller size and more character. The understanding quickly passed between the purebred Arabians and me and I was able to adapt to them. They helped me discover another form of riding. I had the chance to ride good horses with Arnaud. Riding Arabians has improved my riding. You have to be one with them, to understand their character.

I set up on my own thanks to Hassan Mousli – the breeder of Al Mourtajez who wanted more horses than Arnaud Chaillé-Chaillé could fit into his stable. We were able to quickly find good horses, and especially Al Mourtajez. He was a very good base to build on. I did not expect to have so many horses. Al Shaqab also started investing and they trusted me. Today I have 90 horses on average, 120 at the start of the season, with around 80% purebred Arabians.

I did not expect this success at all. My method is a lot of Arnaud Chaillé Chaillé added to my ability to adapt. With a large yard, it is easier to improve your horses. Along with Elizabeth Bernard, we are the two biggest French trainers of purebred Arabians.

As an international horse racing circuit and despite all your champions, Lady Princess, Hadi de Carrère, Hoggar de l'Ardus, the Purebred Arabian remain relatively unknown. How do you explain it?

There are not many races in France, you have to travel abroad, and it is not the best-known circuit for racegoers. I had offers to train abroad, but I'm fine in France. The good horses allow us to run in the biggest races all over the world. The climate in France is exceptional for breeding. In the Middle East, the climate is too intense for six months of the year. I prefer to see my horses develop at their own pace.

For a French owner, buying a good Arabian is a fairly substantial investment because there are few horses on the market and very wealthy owners buy the best ones, while the large breeding farms often keep their best foals for a long time.

I am lucky to currently have a concentration of very good horses but, despite this, it does not complicate the entries too much. They each have their preferences. We race them to win the big races. We choose the entries in agreement with the owners: if I have the four best for a big race, I race them. With 8 horses in the Arabian World Cup, we were able to achieve one, two and three in the race.

Lady Princess was beaten by Hogdar de l'Ardus in Paris and it was the opposite elsewhere. The elite are keeping close. Lady Princess went to Qatar to beat the Al Thani family who had won 100% of the Amir Sword editions with their horses until her success.

Is there a different method from French trainers with Purebred Arabians?

I'm not a stressed person. In Qatar, I'm having a great time with other trainers like Alban de Mieulle. We talk a lot. We help each other.

French trainers, but also with French breeders, have had a lot of success all over the world. It's good for everyone. In Riyadh, we were the only members of the French representatives to win a race during the Saudi Cup meeting and this gave me a certain pride. My voice was heard like never before. I would have been frustrated to be beaten.

I have experienced this media coverage of the successes rather well. I know I did my job, so I have no pressure. I take this opportunity to highlight the race of purebred Arabians. The performance times are improving, the accelerations in the straight are becoming more and more impressive. Today, Purebred Arabian races are as interesting as thoroughbred ones.

A little advice for punters: how to bet on Purebred Arabian races?

It's not easy but good horses always make it. Their bloodlines are strong. This is a breed where the lineage hierarchy is well established. These are not races where the underdog wins.

What are your next racing deadlines?

It starts next Saturday in Dubai with Hadi de Carrère in the Kahayla Classic for an unprecedented double Obaidi Cup / Kahayla Classic to achieve the perfect 'five' in all the biggest G1 Purebred Arabian races. We look a great chance even though the race is very close timewise from the last one in Saudi Arabia and Meydan's faster profile track will be a little less his cup of tea than the slightly deeper track in Riyad. For French races, I recommend that you follow two fillies: Alzain and Ghada, who I really like.