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Winter-meeting report

Publié le par Kristin Odegard Kristin Odegard

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After four months of high quality racing at Vincennes, the meeting has come to an end and we can look back at the different rankings. Here is a summary of the professionals who marked this winter-meeting :

Trainers : Franck Leblanc, unstoppable !

Franck Leblanc drove Unique Quick himself in the Prix de Séléction

Franck Leblanc already had an extraordinary winter meeting in 2010-2011 winning 49 races, but this year he did even better, beating his previous record with 53 victories. He won 5 of the 11 group one races this winter, the Critérium Des 3 Ans and the Prix De Sélection with Unique Quick, the Prix De Vincennes with Utoky, the Prix De L’Ile De France with Tango Quick and the Prix De Cornulier with Quif De Villeneuve. His horses also earned 3 455 070€, another record ! Franck Leblanc outclassed his collegues this winter ; in number of wins Jean-Michel Bazire and Christian Bigeon are his nearest followers with respectively 36 and 27 successes. In winnings, Sebastien Guarato comes second with 1 934 550€ and Thierry Duvaldestin third with 1 582 720€.

Drivers : Jean-Michel Bazire still the best !

Jean-Michel Bazire received his 13th "Etrier D'Or" at the Gala Du Trot

Anchored to the first place as a driver, Jean-Michel Bazire collected his 13th « Sulky D’Or » this winter. He won 72 of his 344 outings, that’s 20% wins and 2 537 900€ earned. He has 33 wins more than his nearest follower, Matthieu Abrivard (39), Frank Nivard and Eric Raffin come after that with 37 and 34 victories.

 

 

 

Jockeys : Franck Nivard, top of his class !

Franck Nivard won the Prix D’Amérique with Ready Cash

Ranked second as a driver and first as a jockey, Franck Nivard won 25 monté races during the winter-meeting. The second place goes to Matthieu Abrivard who won 23 races. The winning jockey of the Prix De Cornulier, Yoann Le bourgeois comes in third place with 17 victories, Eric Raffin has 16 wins but is first in earned money. These 4 jockeys were very closely-matched all last year and Eric Raffin and Franck Nivard shared the « Etrier D’Or » while Matthieu Abrivard and Yoann Lebourgeois shared the « Etrier de Bronze ». Franck Nivard is once again the best when it comes to « combined » class, counting his victories in the sulky and in the saddle.

Owners and breeders : Ecurie Quick Star stands out !

Philippe Delon

In both categories, the hero is called Philippe Delon, owner of Ecurie Quick Star. His horses enjoyed an exceptional meeting with 19 victories of which 3 group ones. Unique Quick‘s victory in the Prix De Séléction on the last day of the winter-meeting put Philippe Delon‘s stable (1 302 050 €) in front of Philippe Allaire (1 291 380 €) ranked in term of earnings in the owner category. In the breeder category, the immediate followers are Ecurie Griff (Roxane Griff) and Ecurie Victoria Dreams (Royal Dream).

Amazing Rapide Lebel !

Publié le par Kristin Odegard Kristin Odegard

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Rapide Lebel is going to give his rivals a hard time this spring in Scandinavia. His comeback this Saturday in the Prix De L’union Européenne was breath-taking. He really is in a class of his own !

Rapide Lebel hadn’t raced since the Breeders Crown in Woodbine in the end of October, when he finished second behind San Pail. After a four-month break, he was finally back to please all trotting enthusiasts. His main rival,Commander Crowe made a winning comeback in Kuurne last week, but this time he galloped from the start and was disqualified. This made the race even easier for the champion Rapide Lebel. The gelding took a great start and very quickly he was 50-100 meters in front of the rest of the field. The time for the first 2000 meters was a very impressive 1’11’6. Rapide Lebel already looked unbeatable, he trotted easily and he is very tough. When they came around the last turn, the public applauded and Eric Raffin raised his hand to acknowledge the fans. Rodrigo Jet sprinted well to second place and Perlando was a good third but they were over 50 meters behind the winner.

This was Rapide‘s second victory in the Prix De L’union Européenne and he set a new record for the race : 1’12’8.

The task was too difficult this time for Timoko in the Prix De Sélection, in which he was attempting to defend his title. The last horse to win this race twice was Mon Tourbillon in 1983 and 1984. Richard Westerink‘s champion had a 50 meter handicap as the 5 year-old « T » generation, had to race over 2750 meters and the 4 year old had « only » 2700 meters to cover. Back after a break since his 5th place in, the Prix D’Amérique, Timoko was the only 5 year-old to take up the challenge. Unique Quick was good from start and took the lead. Timoko caught up with his younger rivals very fast but couldn’t get the lead from Unique Quick, the winner of the Critérium Des 3 ans. Unique Quick and Franck Leblanc stayed in the lead and won the last group 1 of the winter-meeting in 1’13’3 over 2700 meters. He was actually never threatened. Uniclove and Thierry Duvaldestin finished well and took the second place. Timoko had to settle to third place, his time was 1’12’3 over the 2750 meters.

Timoko and Rapide Lebel could line up in a mouth-watering clash in Elitloppet in May.

Ready Cash keeps his crown!

Publié le par Kristin Odegard Kristin Odegard

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Ready Cash wins the Prix D'Amérique again!

On Sunday, the atmosphere at Vincennes was fabulous.

The champions started arriving at around 10am, with Timoko the first to arrive. His fans were lined up outside the parking lot in the cold, wearing blue Timoko caps and scarves, trying to catch a glimpse of him. Then the buses filled with yet more fans arrived… Half an hour later a calm-looking Ready Cash walked out of the lorry, under three blankets and the caring eye of his guardian angel Tristan De Genouillac. Twenty minutes later, Maharajah arrived covered by a Swedish flag placed on his back by his groom Lisa Skogh. He looked great and was very relaxed. On the parking lot, the champions successively showed up for the most important day of their year. As time went by, the competitors warmed up and got ready for the parade. They all paraded nice and quietly, Ready Cash was the only one to go off the track after the parade. The public got a little worried but nothing was wrong with last year’s winner. Thierry Duvaldestin had asked for a special authorisation so his protégé wouldn’t get stressed. Minutes from the start, the atmosphere was electric, with the tens of thousands of supporters all tense and waiting to see their favourite’s start.Seconds from the start – complete silence – false start. The second start was the right one. Only Quif De Villeneuve, the surprise winner of the “Cornulier” galloped from the outset. All the others started well.
Timoko was quickly into his stride as usual and took the lead. Lisa America and Punchy followed him, with Ready Cash and Maharajah never far away. Ready Cash’s driver Frank Nivard made the winning decision when he moved to two wide, leaving Maharajah three wide. Maharajah was Ready Cash’s principal rival and Frank Nivard knew very well that the Swedish horse needs to be covered up. Maharajah overtook Ready Cash and it looked like Frank Nivard and his partner would be stuck. But in the final straight, Mathieu Abrivard moved his partner Private Love who was getting tired aside and opened a gap for Ready Cash. Once he had room to move, the champion sprinted impressively and won by a short length. Ready Cash was just amazing, he finished really fast whilst the others had reached their maximum. Only The Best Madrik could continue his effort, Jean-Etienne Dubois’s partner found a clear run on the outside and finished strongly. The 80/1 shot made a great impression, having been completely ignored in the morning prior to the race. His groom Malin Bohlin walked him around quietly the whole morning without ever being approached by press or fans. Jean-Etienne Dubois has always thought highly of the five-year old and thinks The Best Madrik might be as good as his father Coktail Jet, winner of the Prix D’Amérique and Elitloppet.  Roxane Griff was once again impressive, she finished second and her breeders were delighted but not surprised. But Ready Cash was once again unbeatable; he became the 16th horse to win consecutive editions of the Prix D’Amérique. Frank Nivard was excellent aswell, this was his third Prix D’Amérique win. Thierry Duvaldestin once again watched the race on tv from the stables. The surroundings of the champion all met on the track, they were euphoric and tears came to their eyes on the podium. Philippe Allaire, owner and former trainer thanked Thierry Duvaldestin for his great work. Thierry Duvaldestin thanked Philippe Allaire for trusting him with his champion. Everyone at Vincennes was moved and happy, the best horse won, a real phenomenon, that’s how it’s supposed to be.
Here is the video of the race :

The next step will now be the Prix De France in two weeks and the Prix De Paris another two weeks later but the field won’t be exactly the same. Ready Cash will be racing, he will try to complete the treble : Prix D’Amérique-Prix De France- Prix De Paris. Last time it was dine was in 1976 by the legend Bellino II. On Monday, Ready Cash’s groom Tristan De Genouillac said that his horse recovered well and that it looked like he wasn’t even tired. Timoko has recovered well but he won’t race until March the 3rd, he will defend his title in the Prix De Séléction. Richard Westerink will then hopefully race Elitloppet and the Critérium des 5 Ans with his titan. Lisa America will be absent, the pretty Italian mare will retire to stud following her injury. Lisa America hangs up her racing harness after 22 victories including five group ones and winning the “grand circuit international” in 2010. Oyonnax might miss his last chance to participate in these races as he was a bit lame when he left the track on Sunday. But one thing is sure, the show will go on in February!

A peculiar Prix De Cornulier

Publié le par Kristin Odegard Kristin Odegard

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The world’s most prestigious monté race, the Prix De Cornulier takes place this Sunday at Vincennes. The race has existed since 1931; it is named after the Marquis Jean De Cornulier who bred trotters in Normandy and was a racing steward. Later he became President of the Société Du Cheval Français.

The best monté horses of the last months won’t be racing because most of them are geldings like Roi Du Lupin, Sourire De Voutré, Quemeu D’Ecublei and Riglorieux Du Bois; Scipion Du Goutier is hurt. Other horses that are missed are Pinson and Picsou De Villabon. These champions won’t have the honour to participate in this edition of the world’s biggest monté race.

Here are the lucky contenders and their jockeys:

1             Royale du Perthois - Jean Loïc Claude Dersoir
2             Paladin Bleu - Mathieu Mottier
3             Recia du Closet - Pierre-Yves Verva
4             Tango Quick - Anthony Barrier
5             Trotting Race - Nathalie Henry
6             Quif de Villeneuve - Yoann Lebourgeois
7             Robert Keeper - Ludovic Mollard
8             Queroan de Jay - Anne Barthelemy
9             Yarrah Boko - Richard Joly
10           Quilon du Chatelet - Franck Nivard
11           Opale du Gaultier - Estelle Dessartre
12           Save The Quick - Eric Raffin
13           Punchy - Julien Raffestin
14           Private Love - David Thomain
15           Paris Haufour - Damien Bonne
16           Rombaldi - Matthieu Abrivard
17           Prince de Montfort - Antoine Wiels
18           Oyonnax - Pierre Edouard Mary

This edition of the monté world championship is quite special, 6 horses will race under the saddle for the first time: Quif De Villeneuve, the winner of the GNT will be ridden by Yoann Lebourgeois, a very talented jockey who will try to claim his first Prix De Cornulier. Robert Keeper is trained by Jean-Michel Bazire, he beat Ready Cash in the Grand Prix De La Ville De Caen over 4400m in October. Axel Lenoir trains Queroan De Jay and Quilon Du Chatelet, their monté tests were very good. Punchy is a very tough horse but he raced a lot last year.

Yarrah Boko training in Grosbois

Yarrah Boko came to France to Jean-Michel Bazire’s stable but was moved to Anders Lindqvist’s stable. His first work under saddle was at Vincennes before the Prix De Bourgogne, it was good but his work this Monday was not as pleasing, he galloped several times. After that, the choice of jockey changed from Alexandre Abrivard to Richard Joly who will ride his first Cornulier. Yarrah Boko is a tall and strong horse by the French stallion Coktail Jet, so long in France he has either won or been disqualified. Hopefully he’ll show his best side on Sunday!

 

 

 

Two five-year olds will race, the last 5 year-old to win was One Du Rib in 2007. Only nine horses have won the race at the age of 5 : One Du Rib (2007), Voici Du Niel (1992), Kaiser Trot (1981), Tabriz (1968), Quovaria (1965), Prince Des Veys (1964), Ol Est B (1963), Masina (1961) and Fandango (1954).

Tango Quick, one out of three Leblanc trained horses (the two others are Save The Quick and Quif De Villeneuve) will be ridden by the rising star Anthony Barrier, he won the last edition on Olga Du Biwetz. Tango Quick might be walking in One Du Rib’s footsteps; they have both won beforehand the Prix Leon Tacquet and the Prix Du President De La République.

Trotting Race and Nathalie Henry

Trotting Race is massive; she is ridden by Nathalie Henry. Trotting Race is a daughter of Goetmals Wood and the best monté filly of her generation at the moment. If she wins, she would be the third five year old filly only to join the winners list. It is also the first time Jean Baudron trains a Prix De Cornulier contender.

The limit of horses racing is 18, five horses were sorted out of which Santa Rosa France. She only lacked about 2000€. The Prix De Cornulier was her goal this winter but sadly it will have to change, she will go for the Prix Du Luxembourg, the day before the Prix D’Amérique.

Only two thirds of the horses racing have experience in the discipline, though Paladin Bleu has only raced once and he was not very convincing. Royale Du Perthois is trained and ridden by Jean Loïc Claude Dersoir, a monté specialist. The mare is also a monté specialst but her last victory was the 19th December 2009! Recia Du Closet discovered the discipline last February and has been successful, she is very fast but she usually is at her best on a shorter distance. Opale Du Gaultier had some health problems but was amazing in the Prix Djerid last Sunday. Save The Quick is a very classy mare and has a very good chance to win, she will definitely be the favourite. She has three career starts under the saddle for three easy wins. Private Love did her début in the Prix Du Calvados in the beginning of January, by a good 5th place. Paris Haufor has trained well and Christian Bigeon is a man who aims right but the horse has been better. Rombaldi is struggling with health problems and has a hard time getting back to his best level but he is a talented horse. Prince De Montfort is better on smaller tracks, he has been very good in Scandinavia.

Oyonnax

Oyonnax seems to have a good form; the winner of the Prix D’Amérique 2010 has had some nice prep races and hasn’t raced without shoes since his fourth place in last year’s Prix D’Amérique. Since he is the most experienced horse and the elite of monté are absent, Oyonnax will have a nice card to play and a great chance to get another great victory to his name.

 

 

 

 

It might not be the best edition ever of the Prix Du Cornulier but we should expect a great race on Sunday anyway.

Unique Quick claims the Critérium Des 3 Ans

Publié le par Kristin Odegard Kristin Odegard

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After the races in Hong Kong Sunday morning, racing fans could just stay tuned in front of the television and watch the races from Vincennes with the best three year-olds, in their generations most wanted race : le Critérium Des 3 ans and first the Prix Octave Douesnel with some great 4 year-old colts.

Treskool Du Caux wins the Prix Octave Douesnel for driver and trainer Tony Le Beller and owner Jacques Villetorte.

At two o’clock, the four year-olds were at post. Trésor Wic, the less experienced colt tok the lead. He was attacked succesivly by Thorens Vedaquais, and Treskool Du Caux, he never let go of the lead. Tison Madrik came very fast in the last turn but galloped. Treskool Du Caux and Tresor Wic fought for victory, Treskool Du Caux won quite in front of Tabby Point and Tabler who was very fast in the final stretch. Trésor Wic made his trainer Laurent Simon very happy, he has always considered him but that was before an enquiry was opened on Tempo, Thorens Vedaquais and Trésor Wic. This inquiry generated dramatic consequences in the group one. The three horses were disqualified for irregular trot. The juges are getting very strict these days, but that’s another question… It was actually really sad for Trésor Wic, he resisted several attacks the whole way, he was really tough! And as number one, he was the horse with the less experience and earning, it was a nice bet to enter this race against the best horses of his generation. He should be redeemed very soon. So the final order was Treskool Du Caux, Tabby Point, Tabler and Tonkin de Bellouet, all the others were disqualified. Previous winners of the race are champions like Ready Cash and Jag De Bellouet, to quote only recent editions. These young stars have a nice future, to start with the Critérium Continental for Treskool Du Caux.

Unique Quick is crowned best french three year-old.

An hour and eight minutes later… the Critérium Des 3 Ans. For a three year old it is the most prestigious race to win. For a future stallion it is a very important race. Thierry Duvaldestin was the best equipped trainer; he presented four of his horses: Union D’Urzy, Uniclove, Uaukir and Urgèle. They had some trouble deciding how much weight Uaukir should have on his feet, Franck Nivard even went to the stable and put on an extra pair of boot just a couple of minutes before the start. He had no luck with this complicated but very talented horse, winner of the Critérium Des Jeunes; Uaukir galloped several times. Meanwhile Union D’Urzy took the lead for a while. Then I taught she would stay in front all the way and win, she has been brilliant recently. But a relay race started, Uniclove took over and stayed in the lead for a while too, he has been as good as Union D’Urzy so this looked good! But 1400m left Unique Quick and Franck Leblanc took the lead. When he took the lead, he strongly disturbed Uniclove and Thierry Duvaldestin. For this disruption Franck Leblanc only got suspended for four days (and he drives quite rarely…) and the victory was worth 120 000€… He was a quite surprising winner… Un Amour D’Haufor finished well but a too late to threaten Unique Quick in front of Une Lady En Or who never gave up and concluded very fast. Upper Class and Johanna Lindqvist were very happy with their race; Upper Class shows that one can always count on her. She is Ready Cash’s full sister, her brother won this race in 2008. Uraki Des Sarts is very popular because of his nice history, he finished 5th. Union D’Urzy, 6th was the best Duvaldestin, Urgèle was 8th, Uaukir wasn’t placed and Uniclove was disqualified. Timoko’s record remains unbeaten, 1’12’6, yesterday they went 1’14’1. Richard Westerink’s champion might not be seen again this winter as he has Borrelia.