THE 104th renewal of Europe’s greatest harness race, the €1,000,000 Prix d’Amerique, takes place at the Hippodrome de Vincennes, Paris tomorrow afternoon. The race was inaugurated in 1922 and is named in honour of the American troops, who fought to free France during World War I. Over 30,000 spectators will converge on ‘The Temple of Trotting’, as Vincennes is known, with a sizeable contingent from this country in ‘les tribunes’ or grandstands.

The visiting Irish harness followers get a kick out of harness racing being centre stage. Bus shelters and hoardings throughout the city herald the big race. Taxi-drivers, always a good barometer, might fancy ‘Bazire’ or ‘Raffin’.

As with any 100-year-old horse race in the world, there is a rich history. The owners and trainers’ entrance at Vincennes has a glass cabinet with figurines of every one of the winning drivers in their original colours.

At the sections for 1934, 1956 and 1957, stand the colours of Charley Mills, Irish by birth and the strongest link between this country and the Holy Grail of Trotting.

The Prix d’Amerique has its heroes to rival any big race build-up in the media. The race has its Nortons Coin (Oyonnax won in 2010 at 172/1) and there’s a Red Rum (Ourasi 1986, 1987, 1988 and 1990). The latter was driven by Jean-René Gougeon, who the press dubbed Le Pape de Vincennes (The Pope of Vincennes), when he ruled the roost.

In recent years, the drivers Jean-Michele Bazire, Bjorn Goop and Franck Nivard have grown used to their every move being reported on social media. The trio have won 11 of the 16 renewals since 2009. The talk in Paris is that Jean Michele Bazire is handing the reins (pardon the pun) to his son Nicolas and that Bazire senior will sit out this year’s Blue Riband. Eric Raffin (43) has won the ‘Sulky d’Or‘ for leading driver for the last five seasons, but has yet to win an ‘Amerique’ – his choice will be short on the PMU. Raffin rode the winner of the major saddle race last weekend, trained by Bazire.

The occasion assumes a carnival atmosphere. MC Laurent Bruneteau makes Matt Chapman look staid. He roars ‘Vincennes make some noise!’ in French at every opportunity. Those watching on television or online will probably miss the spectacular opening ceremony, which has something new every year.

Sky Sports Racing may feature the race, depending on thoroughbred commitments. Le TROT Live website will have a French commentary and, if you can access Equidia, Darren Owen will provide the official English language commentary. The Prix d’Amerique is due off at 3.20pm Irish time tomorrow.

Unibet and Betfair were pricing Vincennes races at time of going to press.

Will Swedish dependability beat French flair?

BJORN Goop (39) is the Swedish-born driver, who bases himself in Paris for their winter season. He knows what it takes to win ‘The Big One’, as he drove Readly Express to win in 2018 and Face Time Bourbon to victory in 2020 and 2021. He trains and drives San Moteur, currently third favourite.

Dan Carlin: How did you acquire San Moteur?

Bjorn Goop: The horse has three co-owners including my uncle, who is also the breeder. San Moteur is the fourth generation of this family bred by my uncle. He bought the great-grandmother Tiba Lavec as a yearling. She won the Breeders’ Crown (US race) when she was three.

DC: How did the qualifying races go for you?

BG: It was a great qualification. He wasn’t at his best yet, but he was in very good shape. He’s recovered well and we’ve improved his form in training. I wouldn’t have changed anything for his qualifying race, we just intensified the training. We have found that he runs best fresh. We decided not to run him until the Prix d’Amérique, so there will be six weeks between his last race and the Prix d’Amérique.

DC: How is San Moteur in the stable on a day-to day basis?

BG: He is a very gentle horse, extremely kind and relaxed, not noisy. He’s not the same horse in the races, he’s more aggressive in the races.

DC: Does San Moteur wear much equipment? How will he be shod?

BG: A hood to keep him calm, knee boots, hind boots, he may have earplugs for the first time in the Prix d’Amérique. I have not yet decided on the shoeing, but he’ll probably be shod in front and unshod behind.

DC: In an actual race does San Moteur have a preference, i.e. does he prefer to lead or come from behind?

BG: Both positions suit him. He doesn’t necessarily need a special position.

DC: Tell us something unusual about your horse, owner, trainer or driver please.

BG: Horse: Nothing unusual, he’s a very nice horse, a lot of horses have bad habits, but he doesn’t have any.

Owner: The owner is my uncle. He gets very nervous when the horse runs. All three owners are nervous

Driver/trainer: I’m very calm.

The major players in Prix d’Amerique 2025

  • IDAO DE TILLARD – worthy favourite. Is the race his to lose?
  • IROISE DE LA NOE – the fairytale ending – off the track for 330 days until qualifying – owned by the Levesque family, who owned three-time winner Roquepine 1966, 1967 and 1968.
  • IDEAL LIGNERIES – German-owned, chased home Iroise de la Noe in the Prix de Belgique.
  • IT’S A DOLLARMAKER – winner of the Grand National du Trot. Trained by Sebastian Guarato, who worked the oracle with Bold Eagle and Face Time Bourbon.
  • JOSH POWER – delivered on the line by Eric Raffin in the Prix de Bourbonnais – will he end the driver’s PDA jinx?
  • JUST LOVE YOU – likeable chesnut took out the Prix Tenor de Baune, but race was confined to five-year-olds. This is a big ask.
  • HUSSARD DU LANDRET – toughed it out in the Prix de Bretagne, beating no less than San Moteur. Has a puncher’s chance.
  • HOKKAIDO JIEL – some solid placed form, but rumours of withdrawal all week not a good sign.
  • DON FANUCCI ZET – has picked up €1.5 million in prize money, including Sweden’s Elitloppet. Could well get in the frame.
  • GO ON BOY – was going best of all at the line in this last year. No forlorn hope.
  • HOOKER BERRY – Bazire runner. 2023 winner. Class in every pore. Stayed on well for third in the Prix de Belgique.

    • Irish and GB experts assess the runners

  • Darren Owen (Equidia commentator): Idao de Tillard will be tough to beat. It’s A Dollarmaker is value at the prices.
  • Sean Kane, driver: Predicts the quinté; Idao de Tillard – San Moteur – Hooker Berry – Josh Power – Hussard de Landret
  • Billy Roche, driver: Idao de Tillard is in form at the moment. It’s A Dollarmaker has a big chance too.
  • Adam Corey, apprentice driver: Hooker Berry was impressive in 2023, but Idao de Tillard deserves to be favourite.
  • Eoin Murphy, apprentice driver: Idao de Tillard to win back-to-back. Go On Boy the only one who might beat him.
  • Patrick Kane jnr, 2024 leading driver: Idao de Tillard coming back to form at the right time.
  • John Roche, owner and pundit: My man in Grosbois says Idao de Tillard is kicking the rafters in the stable.
  • Tim Kelleher (The Irish Field): I like Hooker Berry. My friend in Paris with the binoculars fancies Josh Power, but sometimes his binoculars steam up.
  • Dan Carlin (The Irish Field): My head says Idao de Tillard or Go On Boy, as the clock doesn’t lie. My heart says Iroise de la Noe to bring the house down, although she will have to improve some.