🩸SAD NEWS: “I DON’T DARE LOOK HER IN THE EYES…” IRESINE INJURED BEFORE DEPARTURE – Marie Vélon uttered 5 shocking words full of hidden meanings while Jean-Pierre Gauvin REFUSED TO HAVE A PRESS CONFERENCE….
It was a bolt from the blue that hit the racing world this morning. Star mare Irésine, who was due to start a highly anticipated race at Chantilly this weekend, was withdrawn at the last minute after sustaining an injury during a stretch. The shock was immense for fans, but even more so for those who closely follow the iconic duo of Marie Vélon and trainer Jean-Pierre Gauvin. However, it wasn’t the injury alone that was shocking fans today, but rather the strong words spoken by the young jockey and the deafening silence of her mentor.
Interviewed a few minutes after the official announcement of Irésine’s withdrawal, Marie Vélon contented herself with a short but meaningful sentence: “I don’t dare look her in the eyes…” Five words that immediately made the rounds on social networks, giving rise to a barrage of interpretations and upset reactions. Some saw deep pain, others a form of guilt, and all sensed how the bond between Vélon and Irésine went far beyond the simple jockey-horse relationship. The young woman, known for her restraint and media sobriety, seemed broken this time.
Meanwhile, Jean-Pierre Gauvin, usually available, has this time declined all interview requests. No press conference, no statement, not even an official note on the precise status of the injury. A rare attitude for this horseman known for his transparency and calm. This silence has only amplified the concern and speculation. Some are talking about a serious injury that could jeopardize the end of the mare’s career. Others are suggesting internal tensions within the stable, or even a disagreement over the management of training in recent days.
What we do know for sure is that Irésine was expected to play a leading role in this race, and that her absence completely changes the situation for her competitors. A winner of numerous prestigious events, she was also a powerful symbol of the revival of French gallop racing, and one of the few horses to inspire such popular affection. The Vélon–Irésine duo represented a rare blend of elegance, power, and humanity in an environment often dominated by the coldness of numbers and results.
On social media, messages of support are pouring in. Many fans are sending souvenir photos, words of compassion, and some are still hoping for a miracle recovery. The stable, for its part, is remaining silent for now. One thing is clear: these five words whispered by Marie Vélon resonate throughout the racecourse today like an intimate, almost sacred confession. In the silence of an empty box, between the heartbeats of an injured horse, an entire season seems to have stopped.
