Bird Parker wins at Les Sables d’Olonne

Bird Parker (7m Ready Cash-Belisha) won Thursday’s Prix Les Sables d’Olonne (purse 50,000 euro, 2775 meters distance handicap, 12 International starters) at the venue of the same name, timed in 1.13kr, and reined by J.Ph. Monclin. 

Philippe Allaire trains and Elisabeth Allaire owns the great veteran that Christophe Toulorge bred. Brid Parker, off as 7/10 favorite this day, now has 20 wins in 72 career starts for 1,878,605 euro earned, as he overcame a 25 meters handicap.

Two other 25 meter penalized performers trained the winner. 2.4/1 Valko Jenilat (9m Kepler-Perle du Roc) was second for Eric Raffin and trainer Sebastien Guarato. 5.6/1 Amiral Sacha (8m Ganymede-Nostalgique Sacha) was third with Gabriele Gelormini aboard.

Trotting also took place this day at Baden Austria. The 20^th Monte Derby Austria (purse 8,000 euro, 2600 meters, 14 starters) went to 1.18.9kr timed and 1.3/1 odds Top Winner (8g From Above-Loctudy) with Mme. Ronja Walter in the irons for trainer Rudolf Haller and Stall Alegra Racing Club. Lendavu (8g Tony Oaks-Lantara) was second for Mme. Sabrine Brockner.

On the same card the Prix Raphael Varane (purse 6,000 euro, 2100 meters autostart, 11 starters) went to 1.16.7kr timed and 1.4/1 George Greenwood (5g Infinitif-Ninanova) with trainer Rudy Haller driving for owner Christine Kellermeier.

Dexter (5m Pegasus Boko) with Dieter Marz up and Saxicola Jet (7f Naglo) for Jos Verbeeck trailed the winner. Later the Grand Prix du Tour de France (6,000 euro purse, 2600 meters, 12 starters) went to 1.8/1 Lady Muscles (5f Muscle Hill-Chieftess) for Gerhard Mayr ahead of Nico W with Verbeeck at the lines.

Of note was the announced Oslo Grand Prix positive test of its winner Urlo dei Venti that was an easy winner for Enrico Bellei and trainer Gennaro Casillo timed in 1.10.5kr. On the A sample this winner tested positive for cortisone and was disqualified from racing for 90 days. If the B test is positive the dq will be extended to 180 days and the owners will be ordered to return the winners’ purse.

On July 12 the second annual mixed sale was held at Haras des Rouges (Louis Baudron) and a good quality selection of youthful racing prospects drew a fine audience and good prices led by the following:

GOOD FRIDAY 2 year old qualified in 1.18.1kr (Village Mystic) 190.000€ by Kristof Depuydt.

GIVE ME CASH 2 year old qualified in 1.10.7k (Ready Cash) , 150.000€ by Fabien Rycroft.

FESTIF (Village Mystic) 88.000€ by Kristof Depuydt

Saturday top trotting will take place at Enghien featuring the Gr. II International Prix de Buenos-Aires for 120,000 euro purse and the Gr. III Prix de Rome for 85,000 euro.

by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink