Horse Racing Results

Prix d’Amerique 2010: preliminary event | Prix de Bretagne 2009

PRIX DE BRETAGNE – Group II – International event – 2009-11-21 – Total earnings: €110,000. – Harness Racing – 2,700m – Long track – Distribution of earnings: 1st: €55,000; 2nd: €27,500; 3rd: €14,300; 4th: €6,600; 5th: €3,300; 6th: €2,200; 7th: €1,100 For horses aged 4 to 9 (except geldings) who have earned at least €160,000. The only drivers allowed in the competition are drivers who have won at least 35 events, among which 10 in Harness Racing. This event is preliminary to 2010 Prix d’Amérique. See also: 2009 Prix du Bourbonnais, 2010 Prix de Bourgogne and 2010 Prix de Belgique.

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The countdown has now officially started. The Prix de Bretagne which took place on Saturday 21 November opened the series of preliminary and qualifying events to 2010 Prix d’Amérique scheduled 31 January. After a first false start, Quarla at the outside and Première Steed at the fence are the best placed contestants – One du Rib, Oyonnax, Olga du Biwetz are also in the leading pack. As they pass by the stands, Meaulnes du Corta brings up the rear along with Nana du Las Végas, Malakite and Orlando Sport. In with the front runners, One du Rib takes the lead and Oyonnax, with Niky in his trail, catches up.

In Joinville loop, Olga du Biwetz comes close to the leader and Quarla, at the outside, soon catches up with her. Up the slope, the horses in the leading pack keep their positions – it is to be noted however that Qualmio de Vandel comes nearer the lead, so does Orlando Sport who leaves his back rank position and who is himself joined by Thierry Duvaldestin’s horse.

At the crossing of tracks, Orlando Sport keeps up his efforts and catches up with Quarla still in the lead – in Orlando Sport’s trail Perlando tries to keep up with him. The horses enter the final loop. Première Steed is very close – Nana du Las Végas and Prodigious come closer – One du Rib is beginning to waver as Orlando Sport takes a new start and manages to deepen the gap along with Quarla. Our 2 contestants take the lead as they enter the straightway, 2 lengths ahead of Olga du Biwetz and Perlando - 150m before the finish, Orlando Sport, stimulated by outstanding Sébastien Baude, manages to get away from incredibly courageous Quarla and wins the race with superb style. Prodigious, who was behind, ends the race hurtling off and finishes 4th ahead of One du Rib and Nouba du Saptel who finishes extremely well considering that she has been confined to the fence till half way through the straightway.

What are the conclusions to be drawn from this preliminary event ? Well, we are happy to say that Orlando Sport beautifully proved that he was in constant progress. It is his 2nd win after the Prix des Cévennes last 28 October. He is thus already considered a reliable contestant for the final win in the great event we are expecting end of January.

Quarla, who went unlucky in the Criterium for horses aged 4, showed that she has got what it takes for tremendous progress.

Olga du Biwetz, who had had 3 wins in a row, did not run at her best, so said her driver – ‘All things considered I was disappointed and she didn’t seem to have the makings of today’s winner’.

Nouba du Saptel made a strong impression when she tore herself from the fence, but it is always slightly annoying having to wait till the last minute as it seems to be the case with her.

Prodigious admirably finished the race but I now have the feeling that he reaches his limit when he is confronted to older and more experienced horses.

I couldn’t conclude without mentioning 2009 Prix d’Amérique winner, Meaulnes du Corta, who ran for the first time after 8 months at rest. We will certainly have to wait for a few weeks to know more but Pierre Levesque, his trainer, didn’t sound much optimistic in his after race interview.