Paris: the racing world reacts

The depraved terrorist attacks Friday night in Paris have sent shock waves throughout the world, including the world of racing. Twitter was the natural medium for expressions of outrage, grief, and most of all solidarity with France in its darkest hours since the Second World War.

Here’s my personal collection of the more memorable ones. If you’ve seen others that should be included as well, please add them in the comments section.

Lisa-Jane Graffard, Godolphin’s representative in France and wife of trainer Francis Henry Graffard:

Jockey Christophe Soumillon:

Arqana, the sales company:

In the wake of the attacks, racing was canceled at Saint-Cloud Saturday and Auteuil Sunday. Racing Post tweeted this photo from Auteuil:

Cheltenham Racecourse paused in honor of France before Saturday’s racing:

Britain’s Press Association captured the moment:

The Professional Jockeys’ Association in Great Britain came up with a quick tribute idea:

A closer look at the armband worn by the jockeys, courtesy of this photo by Cheltenham:

Horse Racing Ireland seconded the comment by Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny:

Journalist Francis Keogh:

Retired rider and NYRA analyst Richard Migliore:

Brad Weisbord, American advisor to Al Shaqab:

Journalist Ron Flatter, who filed on-the-scene reports for TwinSpires from the Arc:

Lexington-based bloodstock agent Tony Lacy:

Lest you think this was a European and North American phenomenon, racing personalities from Asia and Australia were also vocal.

Tegbir Brar of Dashmesh Stud in India:

Journalist Andrew Hawkins, based in Hong Kong:

Owner/breeder Su-Ann Khaw, based in Melbourne:

Australian training legend Gai Waterhouse:

Perhaps the most poignant images came from closer to the scene.

From Paris-Turf:

From Sophie Thalmann, former Miss France and wife of Soumillon: