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News In Brief of French Racing and Trotting - 12th January 2022.

Trotting

Galius, winner of the G2 Prix Ténor de Baune at Vincennes in December, will run in G1 Prix d'Amérique. The horse recovered well from the race, he is progressive, and the aim is to finish in the top five.  

By finishing second on Sunday in the G2 Prix du Calvados, Zarenne Fas secured a place in the G1 Prix de Cornulier on January 23. Under the saddle for only the second time (debut was fourth in the G3 Prix Auguste François, Vincennes, 15 December) he took his revenge on Freeman de Houelle and comes into calculations for the big race on Sunday week. 

Meanwhile Bilibili contested the same race for the fifth time, a race he won three years in succession (2018-2020) following his third in 2017. However, on Sunday the eleven-year-old put in a disappointing performance being well beaten to finish seventh (and last of the completed runners). This was his first mounted start since February 2020.  

On the other hand, the progressive Fantaisie brought himself into contention of the 'Cornulier', securing victory in the Group Two. The mare is trained by Nicolas Bridault and this is his biggest success to date (she had won to G3 level last November) and is now qualified to race in the biggest mounted Group One race of the season. Whilst a final decision is yet to be made, thought will need to be given to the short time of recovery (two weeks) and how she works during the coming days. The opinion of her regular rider François Lagadeuc will be taken into consideration before a final decision is made.  

Bold Eagle retired from the racetrack in August 2020 with his final race being at Mons, Belgium. He will make a return to Vincennes on the last Sunday in January where he will lead the field for the G1 Prix d'Amerique Legend parade, a race he participated in five times from 2016 to 2020 winning twice in 2016 and 2017, second place in 2018 and a fifth in 2019.  

Full sister to Bold Eagle, It's a Girl, is beginning to make a name for herself in Sweden. Driven by Adrian Kolgjini, she brilliantly won a V75 (feature daily race) on Saturday at Mantorp where she was placed on the outside of the field for the majority of the race. Commencing her career in June she has a record of nine starts for two wins and four placings and remains progressive.  

In his own words driver Léo Abrivard is opening up to 'new horizons'. The son of Laurent and Valérie (and younger brother of Alexandre), he has been a registered trainer since the start of the year and at the age of just 22 is looking to grow his career. This came about when neighbor Georges Lelièvre was looking to sell his property and an arrangement was made for him to take over the property and training of his horses, numbering eight. He will also continue to drive for the family. 

Driver Jean-Philippe Monclin recorded a double at Vincennes last Sunday and in so doing recorded his 1000th success and in the following race his 1001st. His two standout horses have been Fly Speed and Bird Parker. 

Stallion Bad Boy recorded his first winner, Iboy des Tithais, at Nantes on Sunday. To date Bad Boy is the sire of thirty horses, with ten qualified and stands at Haras de Nesle for €1,500.  

Flat

It has been announced the winner of the 2020 G1 Prix de Royallieu Wonderful Tonight is to be served by Frankel and will be based at Stratford Place Stud, near Cheltenham in England. Winner of six of her eleven race starts, she also won a Group One in the United Kingdom – the Fillies & Mares Champion Stakes (2400m) at Ascot and two Group Two contests.  

At Pau on Monday during the Prix Jean Granel (Cross-Country) (4700m), jockey Paulin Blot faced the toughest ride of his career. At the third fence he became unbalanced and ended up around the neck of his mount, almost coming off the horse. When he repositioned himself, his saddle had slipped but, amazingly, he was able to stay in the race for the remaining 3750m. He had to face the Cross-Country fences and banks of the challenging course and was not just able to complete the course but finish second! It was quite a performance. 

The Dubai Festival is commencing, and France will be represented by five trainers. Nicolas Caullery will prepare Batwan, Pia Brandt is sending Pessemona whilst Henri-Francois Devin already has Wild Majesty and Integrant already on the ground. Manjeer trained by Carina Fey and Pevensey Bay for Hircoo Shimizu have also made the journey.  

Jockey Christophe Lemaire completed another season in Japan with 199 victories (including 65 at black type) and a fifth Consecutive Golden Whip. His record year was 2018 when he won 215 races.  

Meanwhile Cristian Demuro returned to France this week after a stint in Japan where he won eighteen, including six black type races from only 66 mounts giving him a strike rate of 27.3%. 

Jockey Vincent Cheminaud has decided to move to the United States to continue his career. He is yet to decide whether to base himself in New Orleans or Kentucky.