All eyes of the trotting sphere turn to Paris-Vincennes racecourse this Sunday, 28 January, for the most prestigious race on the international calendar, the Gr.1 Prix d’Amérique. The race has unsurprisingly drawn a full field of 18 and it is anyone’s guess if Hooker Berry can keep his crown. While awaiting the big event, we take a quick look at some key figures.

Drivers and trainers

Each and every year, choices made and decisions taken by drivers in the heat of the race have an obvious bearing on the outcome. Experience is indispensable. Franck Nivard, with five wins under his belt [Meaulnes Du Corta 2009, Ready Cash 2011-12, Bold Eagle 2016-17], reins last year’s runner-up, Ampia Mede SM, and knows how to rise to the big occasion. Winner of his first with Readly Express in 2018, Björn Goop subsequently won the 2020 and 2021 editions with Face Time Bourbon. As for the young Nicolas Bazire, he took little time getting his name on the trophy, triumphing in 2022 with Davidson Du Pont.

Trainers are only as good as their horses and drivers on the big day but, in terms of numbers, two individuals stand out. Jean-Michel Bazire, who counts 20 Drivers’ Championships, including a hat-trick of Prix d’Amérique’s, to his name, has also won the holy grail a similar number of times as a handler [Késaco Phedo in 2004, Bélina Josselyn 2019, Hooker Berry 2023]. To nobody’s surprise, Thierry Duvaldestin is the other. He won it twice with Ready Cash [2011-12], on behalf of Philippe Allaire, who despite never having won the Prix d’Amérique himself, topped the 2023 list for the number of Gr.1’s achieved, with five.

Numbers

4 is how many times Ourasi won the Prix d’Amérique. The wonderful chestnut imposed in 1986, 1987, 1988 and 1990. He missed out in 1989, finishing third. His record has never been matched.

8 represents the record number of wins by any driver. The exceptionally-talented Jean-René Gougeon won eight times with 3 different horses [Roquépine 1966 & 1968, Bellino II 1975-1977, Ourasi 1986-88 & 1990].

30 consecutive victories were racked up by Ténor de Baune before winning the 1991 edition. No other trotter has ever achieved such a feat.

40,000 racegoers will attend Vincennes on Sunday.

1,000,000 Euros is the total value of the Prix d’Amérique, the richest trotting race in France, €450,000 of which will be awarded to the winning connections.