It’s never easy being the son of a legend, but Nicolas Bazire has nevertheless chosen to follow in his father, Jean-Michel’s, footsteps. The footsteps which account for 20 Drivers’ Championships and enormous success as a trainer, which includes winning three Prix d’Amérique’s as handler, four in the sulky.

Remarkably, in 2022, at just 21, Nicolas became the youngest trainer to lift the Prix d’Amérique at the ‘temple of trotting’. Sweetening the deal was the fact that Davidson Du Pont carried the colours of his grandfather, Jean-Yves Rayon.

Before the race, Jean-Michel declared “We work our whole lives to arrive at this point”, which says a lot about the accomplishment of his son. The way the race unfolded was ideal, and it was by just the smallest of margins that Davidson Du Pont prevailed, securing the 101st edition of trotting’s holy grail.

While working with one’s father can present its difficulties, Nicolas could never have asked for a better environment in which to grow and evolve as a horseman. Despite the infamously demanding nature of his father, he has nonetheless blossomed within the yard, having been afforded both considerable liberty and the opportunity to use his initiative.

Learning the value of patience, and analysing races in depth with Jean-Michel, Nicolas has understood that nothing is left to chance. His name may no longer appear on the trainers’ list, but assuming the reins of the yard at some juncture is almost a foregone conclusion.

For now, the future is the Prix d’Amérique but before that, on Sunday in the Prix de Bourgogne, Nicolas is expected to rein 2023 Amérique winner, Hooker Berry, who already qualified for the late-January showpiece with 2nd place in the Bretagne. Fifth, and somewhat unlucky in the Bourbonnais, he is expected to be more competitive on Sunday.