French trotting sires rule the world

The champion French sires Timoko and Love You left important winners in both hemispheres recently.

Timoko, France’s all-time leading stakes earner, figured as the sire of Etonnant, the winner of Europe’s richest sprint, the $1.2 million Elitlopp run at Solvalla Raceway, Stockholm, a race he won twice himself.

Etonnant powered home from near last to defeat the world’s best trotters, despite an early miscue and a wide passage for the last half-mile to win in 1:51.3.

Love You’s brilliant daughter Tough Love completed a clean sweep of the NSW Foundation Series when she soundly trounced her rivals in the $25,500 Final at Menangle on Saturday night (June 4).

It was sixth success from seven starts this season and her 11^th from 18 lifetime appearances. She has now earned $121,493 in stakes.

Love You was represented by no less than nine winners in four different States and New Zealand this week. His winners included the three-year-olds Lindy’s Love (1:59.1, Menangle) and Mad Jack (Invercargill, NZ), Locksley Lover (1:59.4, Melton), Loves In The Air and Maestro (both Shepparton), Astro (Kilmore), Father Christmas NZ (Albion Park) and Luvaflair (Gloucester Park).

Love You’s leading son Quaker Jet grabbed a piece of the limelight, siring the very impressive winner of the Sweetheart Trot Final at Melton in Imamaorijet. She has now won six races and $63,830 in stakes.

Timoko, Love You and Quaker Jet are members of the star-studded sire lineup at Haras Des Trotteurs, near Ballarat (VIC.).

by Peter Wharton, for Harnesslink