Racing in Loire-Atlantique, France

Pictures taken in April and May 2013

The Jokey David Cottin waiting before the start of his race at the hippodrome of Blain.

The Jokey David Cottin waiting before the start of his race at the hippodrome of Blain.

Jockeys at the weight-in supervised by a race steward.

Jockeys at the weight-in supervised by a race steward.

The jockey David Cottin fighting to keep his position.

The jockey David Cottin fighting to keep his position.

Injured horse being attended by a veterinarian after collapsing.

Injured horse being attended by a veterinarian after collapsing.

Hippodrome of Blain.

Hippodrome of Blain.

Jokey flying mid-air after failing on one of the jumps during a steeplechasing race.

Jokey flying mid-air after failing on one of the jumps during a steeplechasing race.

Kevin a young apprentice and his horse in the stables.

Kevin a young apprentice and his horse in the stables.

An official in the steward's tower at the Hippodrome of Pont-Château.

An official in the steward's tower at the Hippodrome of Pont-Château.

The driver  S. Beaucamp and his horse Una Maris in the middle of a rainy harness race.

The driver  S. Beaucamp and his horse Una Maris in the middle of a rainy harness race.

Race stewards sitting in their van as one of their colleague wipe the windows of the vehicle at the end of a race.

Race stewards sitting in their van as one of their colleague wipe the windows of the vehicle at the end of a race.

The driver A. Wiels getting off his sulky pulled by Ulysse de la Manza after finishing their race.

The driver A. Wiels getting off his sulky pulled by Ulysse de la Manza after finishing their race.

The Driver S.J.L. Tessier bringing his sulky back to the stable. 

The Driver S.J.L. Tessier bringing his sulky back to the stable. 

The Russian Navy docking in Saint Nazaire

The Smolny and the Vladivostock docked in the port of Saint Nazaire, France.

The Smolny and the Vladivostock docked in the port of Saint Nazaire, France.

Some of the 400  sailors from the Russian Navy obeserving the harbour minutes before disembark the Smolny. 

Some of the 400  sailors from the Russian Navy obeserving the harbour minutes before disembark the Smolny. 

Russian sailors on the Smolny's deck

Russian sailors on the Smolny's deck

Russian sailors disembarking in Saint Nazaire to start their  training on the Vladivostok, the first of the two Mistral warships sold by the French government to Russia . Its delivery is set for the last quarter of this year.

Russian sailors disembarking in Saint Nazaire to start their  training on the Vladivostok, the first of the two Mistral warships sold by the French government to Russia . Its delivery is set for the last quarter of this year.