French rising star hits gold standard

Lingfield and Ascot are used as mere sighters for Kempton's Christmas meeting and the Cheltenham Festival.

The Fellow won successive King Georges in 1991 and 1992 before collecting the Gold Cup in 1994, while Algan - albeit lucky to benefit from Barton Bank's agonising last-fence slip - brought his trainer's tally to four in the Kempton showpiece later that same year.

All this happened while Thierry was still in short pants, just dabbling with amateur riding and setting his sights on training.

His pedigree is steeped in racing and horses - one grandfather was a trainer and the other established the French veterinary school in Rio de Janeiro after World War I. Another Doumen, Edgar, was pre-1914 champion jockey in Rome.

Francois himself rode more than 100 winners as an amateur rider and recently became the first Frenchman to train for the Royal Family after eminent racing commentator Sir Peter O'Sullevan facilitated an introduction.

But the racing equivalent of a silver spoon has carried some pretty bitter medicine for Thierry. His riding style as an amateur earned widespread uncharitable reviews, the implication being he earned his dizzy opportunities through blood rather than talent.

It was partly due to mutterings among French riders, which eventually culminated in a strike, on the inequity of his 'advantages' as an amateur that created this reluctant professional. He held a licence, but not the respect of a judgmental sport until silencing his critics with the irrefutable evidence of his intelligent Triumph Hurdle win.

"I was happy as an amateur and had never planned to turn professional, but it wasn't to be," Doumen jnr still points out.

But, three years on, he can confidently refute the "stupid comments" with proof of having "got where I am because I've been working very hard". The rewards for his graft could be massive this season. First Gold is second favourite, behind reigning King George champion See More Business, to land this Christmas's race and has been backed in from 100-1 for the Gold Cup.

As a raw five-year-old, he won the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris for the Doumen duo, but was then sidelined by injury for more than two years.

He has returned in spectacular fashion in 2000, most recently denying former Gallic top dog Al Capone a world-record eighth success in last month's Prix La Haye Jousselin.

"First Gold is the best horse I've ever ridden," said Doumen. "He is working superbly in his preparation for Kempton. My father doesn't try to compare him with his past King George winners, but I would say he probably isn't as easy as they were.

"He can be a daredevil at his fences, but has changed a lot since he was five and has learned to calculate a bit more. My father has told me to calm down, saying I'm dicey at my fences, too, so we'll have to both behave at Kempton."

Doumen recalls watching from the stands, aged 13, as The Fellow completed his King George double. He said: "I can remember feeling happy, but never thought that I would one day be riding in the race."

He will want to improve upon his first experience, when a tailed off Djeddah refused three fences from home behind See More Business in 1997.

"It's always important to me to ride well for my father," Doumen agreed.

"It's great to be riding for him in the King George again and wearing the colours of the Marquesa de Moratalla.

"I don't know how First Gold will take to English fences and don't want to compare him with his rivals, but I do know he is an exceptional horse."