Paris Soir - Two-time winning Arc trainer Rouget bows out in emotional farewell

The 73-year-old training great has pulled the shutters down on his stables and put them into liquidation three years after he tearfully welcomed back his second Arc winner, Ace Impact.

There were tears on Sunday, ones of sorrow, as at an emotional ceremony he was inducted into French racing's Hall of Fame.

Rouget bows out with over 7,500 winners since his first runner in 1978, including six Prix du Jockey Clubs (French Derby) and four Prix de Dianes (French Oaks).

"It's been quite a journey," said Rouget, whose voice trembled with emotion.

"However, it would have been impossible without the wonderful team I have and I want them to come up to the stage and share this moment with me.

"They have all travelled here of their own free will and expense," he added.

Rouget's stable has dropped from almost 200 horses -- his owners a mix of locals in the southwest of France to the Aga Khan and Qataris -- to around 60 since Ace Impact's triumph.

Many owners left when poor health forced him to step back for a while.

He returned and had a couple of Group One winners last year -- he bows out with 49 in total -- but it was insufficient to stem the tide.

Rouget, who at one point trained both jumpers and flat horses in Pau before opting to focus on the latter full-time, began his career with just a yellow horsebox given to him by his father, Claude, who was also a trainer.

"Jean-Claude Rouget is a man ahead of his time," his former jockey Jean-Bernard Eyquem told AFP.

"He is an extraordinary boss, I would say frank and as straight as the finishing straight at Longchamp.

"I am proud to have won 600 races riding for him, including the 2016 Prix du Jockey-Club with Almanzor."

Almanzor was one of Rouget's superstars as he also won the Irish and British Champion Stakes in 2016.

- 'Quitting the stage' -

Jean-Rene Dubosc has known Rouget for decades and rode his first champion Millkom, winning the Grand Prix de Paris and the Prix Jean Prat in 1994.

He then became his assistant trainer and has been dealing with the intricacies of winding down the operation.

"Today brings to an end almost half a century of an incredible association between us," said Dubosc.

"It is a hard day for all, that come the end of the Arc we shut the door on a golden era.

"It is painful and the tears we shed today are very different to the ones on previous occasions," he added.

France Galop, the French racing authority, also had a presentation in the parade ring an hour before the Arc.

Just as in his two Arc wins he was greeted with resounding applause from thousands of spectators.

"Three things stand out in your extraordinary career," France Galop president Guillaume de Saint-Seine said.

"Your tally of winners, your uncovering of talent both equine and human, and your ability to build a winning team.

"The latter is borne witness today by your team being here en masse."

Rouget said it was wonderful to bow out in front of thousands of people.

"I am quitting the stage but I will still go racing. It is in my blood," he said.

Q.Mathieu--PS