Maharajah retired – Ustie Haufor wins Quinte

February 9, 2015 – Today’s Quinte+ Prix de Senlis (€54,000, 2100 meters autostart, 17 European starters) went to owner/trainer/driver Christian Bigeon and Ustie Haufor (7f Niky – Lana du Houlbet) at 8/1. She was timed in 1.12.8kr for the victory ahead of 1.8/1 Urfee du Moochel (7f Buvetier d’Aunou – Olga du Mouchel) with Mathieu Abrivard up. Third went to 13/1 Xea Venus (7f Charmy Skeeter – Xea Lobell), a Robert Bergh trainee driven by Dominik Locqueneux.

Replay stretch drive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJIJ_hS3toA#t=16.

Favorites dominated the top five, resulting in a modest exact order Quinte+ consolation payoff.

At Le Cepiere, the Prix d’Arbois (€28,000 purse, 2950 meters, 18 European starters) went to Bearhawaii (5g Dream Vacation – Honalulu Lulu), the 3/2 favorite driven by Christophe Martens for trainer Victor Martens. He was clocked in 1.16.3kr to defeat Utile Lebel (7g Biesolo – Jernasca) with trainer/driver Christophe Feyte aboard with third to Uniflosa Bella (7g Jag de Bellouet – Koctiflosa Gede) and Antoine Wiels for owner/trainer J-P Marmion.

It was reported today (Paris-Turf and Maharajah facebook page) that Sweden’s champion Maharajah has been retired. The 2014 Prix d’Amerique winner last raced in October at Solvalla, finishing third. The 10 year-old son of Viking Kronos, trained by Stefan Hultman, won numerous major events such as the Svenskt Travkriterium at age 3; the Grand Prix de l'U.E.T. and Svenskt Travderby. at age 4; at 6, second in Prix d'Amerique and Prix de France; at 8, winner of Olympiatravet  and the aforementioned 2014 Prix d’Amerique winner at age 9.

2014 Prix d’Amerique replay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K20LX-_RGI

Thomas H. Hicks