by Karsten Bønsdorf, USTA Senior Newsroom Correspondent

It was a great day for Jean Michel Bazire, the leading driver in France, on Saturday afternoon (July 7) at the track in Vichy.

Not only did he win his national win number 6.000 driving Courchevel, but in the next race he drove his own Aubrion du Gers to victory in the Grand Prix raced over 1-7/8 miles in a new world record of 1.54 (mile rate).

Aubrion du Gers, who is considered the best gelding in France – well probably in the world – lowered the old record of 1.58.2 (mile rate) held by another famous French trotter, Swedishman.

The track in Vichy is sized at 1.325 meter or approximately four-fifths of a mile.

In Sweden the Jerry Riordan-trained Vamp Kronos, driven by Björn Goop, won the Mare Sprint Stosprintern at Halmstad in 1.55.2f with a purse for the winner of $81,500.

Vamp Kronos is like several other European top trotters sired by Ready Cash and out of a Viking Kronos mare.