Vincennes winter meeting. How did they fare?
7 March 2024
Jean-Michel Bazire
After four months of quality racing, the Vincennes winter meeting drew to a close last Saturday with victories for Idao De Tillard, Idéale Du Chêne and Edition Gema. But who came out on top in each category?
It came as no surprise that Jean-Michel Bazire topped the list of trainers, with a notable lead over his closest rivals. He won a trio of Gr.1’s, the Critérium Continental and Prix Bold Eagle with Jushua Tree, and the Prix Jag De Bellouet with Joumba De Guez. Jean-Michel Baudouin secured a record tally of 28 wins, with Gaspar D’Angis kicking things off in December with the Gr.2 GNT Final. Other Baudouin-trained Group winners include Kalmia Quick, Kid Bellay et Lucky Sibey.
In the drivers’ category, Eric Raffin took the honours ahead of JMB, and Matthieu Abrivard who can thank Face Time for 6 of his 38 victories. Benjamin Rochard broke into the Top 5 with 30 wins, and landed his maiden Gr.1 triumph, with Kana De Beylev in the Prix Ready Cash. Alexandre Abrivard still made the Top 5 despite his long absence.
Mathieu Mottier lifted the jockeys’ title with 25 wins and while winless at Gr.1 level, he nevertheless won four Gr.2’s. This time, Alexandre Abrivard made the Top 3 despite being sidelined after a road accident in January. He is unlikely to return before April-May.
On the purely equine side, two horses finished with 6 wins apiece, Idao De Tillard and Face Time. The former lifted four Gr.1’s including the Prix d’Amérique. The latter won five showpiece events, which included a pair of Gr.2’s, Prix du Luxembourg and Prix du Plateau de Gravelle. Franck Leblanc’s Gala d’Urfist ended the meeting with 5 wins in 8 starts.
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