Trotting duel turns into a romp in France

Today (August 7) was the trotting duel at Saint Malo that turned into a romp for 2.3/1 Ibiki de Houelle (6m Love You-Sawasde de Houelle) timed in 1.12.5kr over 2975 meters that included his 25-meter harness racing handicap.

The Grand National du Trot – Ville de St. Malo (purse 90,000€, Gr. III, 2950 meters distance handicap, 14 starters, 8th leg of the GNY series) saw Ibiki de Houelle score easily for driver Eric Raffin, trainer/breeder Franck Leblanc and owner Daniel Augereau to record his 13th victory in 40 starts for 492,410€ earned.

The 1.7/1 odds Inexess Bleu (6g Vittel de Brevol-Pearl of Charm-Goetmals Wood) was second handicapped 25 meters reined by Alexandre Abrivard for L.C. Abrivard that trains for Michel Gallier, the owner/breeder. Third to the line was 5.2/1 odds and 25-meter penalized Igrec de Cellard (6m Django Riff-Topaze de Tillard) with David Thomain driving this Christophe Variel trained and owned campaigner. Instinct d’Am at 30/1 was fourth for Franck Nivard and Fluo Meslois at 106/1 odds was fifth for trainer/driver Pierre Belloche.

To watch the race replay, click here.

On the same card the SWE invader Ninepoints Lasse (6g Uncle Lasse-Ninepoints Lucy-Spotlite Lobell) scored in the monte Prix Jacques Giboire (purse 32,000€, 2950 meters distance handicap, 11 European starters ages 6-11 years) timed in 1.13.7kr.

Off as the 9/10 odds favorite the winner was handled by jockey Alexandre Abrivard for trainer Jorgen Westholm and owner Bengt Johansson. This was the winner’s third victory in France in eight starts and he advanced career earnings to 121,222€.

Impala de Val (6g Viking de Val) was second at 1.9/1 odds and a 25-meter penalty ridden by Benjamin Rochard. Third was 10/1 Made of Stars (8g Super Photo Kosmos) for jockey Paul Philippe Ploquin and trainer Westholm.

What’s coming up? Good trotting ahead.

August 8 – Tour Europeen Trotteur Francais at Mons Belgium

August 10 – Criterium de Vitesse at Argentan

August 10 – Aby World Grand Prix 3140 meters autostart, 6,000,000SEK first prize

The great Moni Viking (13m Maharajah-Jeunesse Doree) retired after earning 1,144,886€ and a great top class international competitor for many years.

Uppercut de Manche is dead at 16. The champion gelded son of Neutron du Cebe-Nuit de Manche won 22 races in France from 93 starts and 1,093,364€.

ATG, Trotteur Francais, Saint Malo files/photos

by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink