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PROFILE
ROBERT AND RODOLPHE COLLET
Following a family tradition
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Last June, Robert Collet and his son Rodolphe recorded an historic 1-2 in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot with Immortal Verse and Nova Hawk. For them both, it was a moment in their careers never to be forgotten. WORDS: ISABEL MATHEW PHOTOS: JEAN CHARLES BRIENS, HORSEPHOTOS.COM
OLLET senior was registering his first victory at the meeting since Last Tycoon’s win in the 1986 Kings Stand Stakes. For Collet junior, it was further indication that he is following fast in the footsteps of one of France’s most prominent trainers “It was definitely one of the biggest highlights of my working life,” Robert says. “She is the best filly that I have ever trained, but the result would have been even better if my son had won.” From the outset, it is obvious that the Collets’ relationship is a very strong one. Robert is more outspoken in many ways, whilst Rodolphe’s tongue-in-cheek remark after the race – “When are all these old trainers going to retire and give the young ones a chance?” – epitomises the 38-year-old’s sense of humour. Thoroughbreds have been in Robert’s blood from an early age. Although his father René did not come from an equine background, he went on to become a stud manager, first at the Haras des Breviaires near Rambouillet – now a National Stud – and then not far from Alençon. “It was always my dream to be a trainer or a Formula One driver. I chose the former, as my family didn’t have enough money for the latter as I had three brothers and two sisters! I grew up idolising the likes of François Mathet, but in reality when you strip the varnish off it is not an easy career.” After spending time with English-born Chantilly trainer Jack Cunnington (where his
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brother Gerard rode as a jockey) following his military service at Saumur, Robert then started up on his own in 1973. “When I applied for a permit, they refused, instead giving me a public licence. I started with nothing, and little by little I managed to buy horses out of claimers, training both on the Flat and over jumps.” That same year, Rodolphe became the latest addition to the family, joining his
elder brother Bruce, now a policeman in Paris. “I think I survived because I was talented. It helped that I was young, and I wanted to do well,” says Robert. Rodolphe echoes this. “My father has an amazing talent of successfully campaigning any type of horse, whether it be a claimer or Group 1 performer. This has not always made it easy for him in the eyes of his competitors.”
Immortal Verse leads home Nova Hawk for a Collet family 1-2 in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot last year