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News In Brief of French Racing and Trotting - 10th November 2022.
This week, the News In Brief includes, Modern Games at the Breeder's Cup meeting, the 'Golden Cravache' and trainer François Nicolle having his first winner as an owner in the trotting sphere.
Flat
Modern Games, winner of the Poule d'Essai des Poulains (G1) at Longchamp last May made it a second win at the Breeders Cup meeting, USA last Saturday when he won the Breeder's Cup Turf Mile (G1) (1600m). Twelve months ago, at Del Mar he won the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) also over the mile. He also won the Woodbine Mile Stakes (G1) in Canada in September and in June finished third behind Vadeni at Chantilly attempting the Prix du Jockey Club (G1).
Following consecutive wins in France finding success attempting a Listed race over 1600m at Deauville in August (defeating Prix Marcel Boussac heroine Blue Rose Cen) followed by a win in the Prix de Conde (G3) at Chantilly in September over 1800m, Victoria Road made it three in a row scoring in the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) at Keeneland (USA) over 1600m on Friday. Trained by Aidan O'Brien, the 2023 Classics will be his Spring targets and O'Brien has indicated the Prix du Jockey Club is a possibility. The win was a first G1 for stallion Saxon Warrior who is by Deep Impact.
Under the new formula to determine the leading flat jockey of the season known as the 'Golden Cravache', Maxime Guyon has been crowned as the winner this year. In the past, the award has been determined on the full twelve months, however from this year it concludes at the end of October. For Guyon, this is his second title having also won it in 2019. The jockey might also beat his personal record of wins for a calendar year as he has already achieved 234 victories, the same tally as 2019, though he was unable to land a Group One victory this season.
Trotting
At the second attempt under saddle J'Aime Le Foot was an impressive winner at Vincennes last Friday and will now be targeted for the Prix de Vincennes (G1) in December. He is a colt who continues to improve. Originally campaigned under harness, his first mounted start saw him compete and win the Saint-Léger des Trotteurs (G1) at Caen in October and followed that victory with his success last Friday tackling the Prix Louis Tillaye (G2). His granddam is Princess Foot who won the Prix de Vincennes (G1) in 2006 after finishing third in the Prix Louis Tillaye (G2).
Better known as one of the leading trainers in jump racing in France, trainer François Nicolle produced his first winner as an owner in the trotting sphere last Friday at Vincennes when Jolie Poupée, driven by Eric Raffin won wearing the owner's colours. For the trainer, Jean-Michel Baudouin, this was his opportunity to reciprocate with Nicolle who provided him with a thoroughbred winner during the summer.
With the Vincennes Winter Meeting commencing, competition tables up to second November of current standings in the various premierships are:
Drivers
1. Eric Raffin
2. Alexandre Abrivard
3. Mathieu Abrivard
4. Yohann Lebourgeois
5. David Thomain
Jockey's
1. Alexandre Abrivard
2. Mathieu Mottier
3. Adrien Lamy
4. Eric Raffin
5. Benjamin Rochard
Trainers
1. Thierry Duvaldestin
2. Loic Claude Abrivard
3. P. Terry
4. Sebastian Guarato
5. Jean-Michel Bazire
Smart Swedish trotter Calgary Games requalified at Solvalla (Sweden) last Wednesday in a time of 1'11''7. It is anticipated he will now be set to campaign aiming toward the Prix d'Amérique (G1) at the end of January. To date he has raced just nine times and will be a six-year-old next year. He is by a Prix d'Amerique winner (Readly Express), where the question is whether he has the experience to contest this race against more experienced rivals. Based on his requalifying time it can be assumed will be returning to the track having retained his known racing ability. Björn Goop will be his appointed driver (he also won the big race driving Readly Express).
