Columbus, OH – Jean-Pierre Dubois, an 85-year-old, internationally renowned breeder and owner of both Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds, drove 3-year-old male trotter Chapel to a win in the fifth race at Oak Grove Racing on Tuesday (April 14).
Dubois, who also trains the son of Chapter Seven-Beautiful Game, also finished sixth aboard another trainee, 3-year-old trotting filly Hustle N Bustle, in the ninth race and drove in a qualifier earlier in the day.
According to the U.S. Trotting Association’s Pathway database, the Quevert, France native’s last driving win in North America prior to Tuesday was at the Red Mile with Louanda Dream on Aug. 21, 2011. His last previous start in North America came a little more than a month later.
Born on July 4, 1940, Dubois drove High Echelon to victory in the 1979 Prix d’Amerique. Three years later, he was the driver-trainer-owner of Prix d’Amerique champ Hymour.
Horses bred and/or owned by Dubois have included Dan Patch and O’Brien Award winner Crys Dream, O’Brien Award and Breeders Crown winner Brigham Dream, Dan Patch Award and two-time Breeders Crown champ Ecurie D, and multiple Grand Circuit winner Cuatro De Julio. He also bred and owned internationally influential stallion Love You.
His notable winners on the Thoroughbred side include 2024 Prix de Diane winner Sparkling Plenty and 2023 Prix du Moulin winner Sauterne. Dubois is also known for breeding Stacelita, an Eclipse Award winner who won six Group/Grade 1 races in France and the U.S.