Lady Soul gives Brisset first win as trainer

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – In more than 10 years as an assistant and exercise rider for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, Rodolphe Brisset worked with top-class racehorses on a daily basis, including Royal Delta, Drosselmeyer, To Honor and Serve, Tourist, and many others.

Now on his own since early April, the cupboard isn’t nearly as full, but just give Brisset a little time. On Thursday evening at Churchill Downs, Brisset got his first winner as a trainer when Lady Soul, ridden by fellow countryman Julien Leparoux, won a $40,000 maiden-claiming route by 2 3/4 lengths.

“It was really fun,” said Brisset, a 33-year-old native of Tours, France. “I think I was happier that Julien was on her more than anything else. When you work for Bill as long as I did, you get used to winning, although it still is a little bit of a shock to see my name out there.”

:: Add a 5-card pack of PPs and save 55¢/card!

Brisset said he now has 25 horses in his care at Keeneland and intends to stick around Kentucky through November, when he will go to Florida for the winter.

“Right now, we have about 60 percent 2-year-olds,” he said. “We’ve built up pretty quick. I want to build a good foundation here before we make any big moves.”

Lady Soul, bred and owned by John Gunther, was Brisset’s fourth starter. The 4-year-old filly was making her sixth career start and her first around two turns.