Mauricio Delcher Sánchez is a Spanish trainer based in Chantilly since 2013. A former gentleman rider (amateur jockey), Mauricio Delcher Sánchez has gradually established himself as one of the leading professionals in his country. Several times crowned champion trainer in Spain, winner of the Grand Prix de Madrid and mentor to several Group race winners, he moved to Chantilly in 2013 to benefit from training facilities recognized worldwide.

Although he has never previously participated in the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club, he already boasts several Group 1 victories, notably in France in the Prix du Cadran and Prix Jean Prat, and in England in the King’s Stand Stakes (renamed the King Charles III Stakes in 2023) at Royal Ascot.

“We have always thought highly of Pearled Majesty. Last year, he showed us very promising things in the mornings, but he was still very immature in his behavior. He was not always focused and needed time to mature. That is also why we ran him at two years old: to give him racing experience without asking too much of him in training. His first two races already showed his quality and, this year, from two to three years old, he has really stepped up. He has gained physical and mental maturity. Since his comeback, he has continued to improve. His latest victory [on April 12 in the Prix Noailles] was a genuine confirmation race against already serious opposition. Today, he arrives at his peak: he is doing very well, in top form, and has enough experience. All the lights are green. Now we are entering the major European races and he will have to confirm at this level, but we are very proud of him. As we cannot have Christophe Soumillon [who partnered him in his last three starts], Pearled Majesty will be ridden by Cristian Demuro. We are very happy to have him. He is a jockey I know very well, someone very pleasant and already highly experienced in these types of races.

I believe horses should be allowed to gallop in their natural action. I do not like to restrain them. This horse has a huge stride, he likes to move forward and that has to be respected. Last time, he took the lead because there was not much pace, but he is not a horse who absolutely needs to be in front. What matters is that he can gallop freely and in his own rhythm. Whether he is in front or behind will depend on how the race unfolds. I am never afraid to let a horse do what comes naturally to him.

Regarding the ground, we mainly hope the track will be good and consistent, which of course it will be. The horse has won on good ground and also ran very well on heavy ground, so I am not worried. Major races should be run on tracks where everyone has their chance. After that, the best horses win — it is as simple as that.

I have been based in France for more than ten years and having a runner in the Jockey Club means a tremendous amount. Of course, we have already had Group horses and experienced great emotions, but taking part in a race like this is exactly why we do this job. We get up every morning to live moments like these. With experience, however, you also learn to keep things in perspective. What matters most is being satisfied with the horse’s journey and the work accomplished with him. If the horse is good enough, he will win. If he is a bit less good, he will finish further back. That is not dramatic. There will always be other races, other horses, other opportunities. In this profession, you must keep moving forward, maintain your enthusiasm and passion. And the next day, you simply get back to work.

Working with Criquette [Head, his co-owner] is a real pleasure. She is someone with immense experience who knows this profession perfectly. She understands the joys, the difficulties, the daily pressure. But she also lets the trainer work. In the end, I am the one who sees the horse every day and makes the decisions, but being able to exchange ideas with someone like her is a real asset.”

Photo: France Galop