Record-setting yearling purchase wins debut in France

The 1.5/1 odds favorite Machievel Bourbon (2m Prodigious-Vita Bourbon) scored in his career harness racing debut timed in 1.15.9kr in the Prix de Noel (purse 12,500€, 2275 meters, 13 two year old starters) at Nantes.

The half brother to Face Time Bourbon (Ready Cash) that earned 3,392,880€ was handled by Eric Raffin for trainer J.P. Monclin and breeder/owner Ecurie du Haras de Saint Martin. He is a full brother to 287,265€ winning Lotta Bourbon. A close second was 12/1 Michigan Hawk (2m Helgafell-Elite Perle-Royal Dream) reined by Jerome Rualts for trainer Philippe Allaire. The 9/1 Mister Royal (2m Feliciano-Dawa Dry) was third with Alan Gemdrot driving for trainer Marc Sassier and Ecurie des Charmes.

For the race replay, click here.

The upcoming major races in France and Italy are shown below.

The Gran Premio Royal Mares field  at Agnano lines up as follows:

Other interesting European news follows:

Youth excelled in groupe tests at Vincennes.

Jushua Tree winter meet over due to leg injury.

Ampia Mede SM (8f Ganymede-Polimpia Slide SM) has reportedly again been moved in terms of trainers. Erik Bondo will take over from Thierry Duvaldestin for whom she raced eight times with a 8 0-1-2 slate. She previously raced in France for Fabrice Souloy and Philippe Billard where she posted a 17-4-4 slate in 37 starts including a stretch of exceptional performances where she was second in the January 2023 Amerique and first in the Prix de France and Prix de Paris. Her overall slate in France is 17-5-6 from 45  starts.

Vivid Wise As now ready to resume his stallion career in Italy following a final victory that capped a superior career where he earned over 3,700,000€.

Trotteur Francais, Paris-Vincennes, Gaet files/photos

by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink