90,000€ GNT to Ibiki de Houelle

Franck Leblanc’s hot trotting trainee Ibiki de Houelle (6m Love You-Sawasde de Houelle-Gazouillis) captured leg five of the Grand National du Trot series at Le Croise Laroche in France on May 22.

This Gr. III event was raced over 2825 meters distance handicap for a 90,000€ purse. The winner was timed in a sharp 1.10.9kr and he raced 2850 meters (25-meter handicap), a mile rate time of 1:54.08 over 1.771 miles.

Eric Raffin reined the 4.1/1 odds second choice for breeder/trainer Leblanc and owner Daniel Augereau. Ibiki now has 12 career wins in 38 starts for 429,410€. His dam earned over 363,000€.

Finishing second was the 8/10 odds favorite Ino du Lupin (6g Scipion du Goutier) with Antoine Wiels teaming the J.P, Marmion bred, owned and trainer trotteur. Eureka Vrie (10g First de Retz) was third at 37/1 with Thomas Chalon driving a horse he owns and trains. Have A Dream (7m Royal Dream) and It’s a Dollarmaker (6m Saxo de Vandel) completed the top five to the line.

The GNT point standings now has Ibiki de Houelle with 26 points followed by Horchestro with 24 and 15 each for Forbach, Graal du Tresor and Igrec de Celland.

To watch the race replay, click here.

Trotteur Francais, Le Croise Laroche files/photos

by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink