from Standardbred Canada

Mississauga, ON — Billy Davis, Jr., Canada’s leading dash winning driver to date this year, will represent Canada in an International driving event in Paris, France in early December.

The International Week End is dedicated to the “Trotteur Français” and is held at Hippodrome Paris-Vincennes racecourse, from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2. The ‘Prix des Rencontres Internationales du Trotteur Français,’ a single race driving competition, involves drivers from around the globe. In 2010, Scott Zeron represented Canada and finished second. Last year, Randy Waples took part in the competition.

The invitation was extended to the 26-year-old horseman, who now makes Cambridge, Ontario, his home, via Standardbred Canada on behalf of Société du Cheval Français. Although he was given almost a week to consider the invitation, his immediate response was that it was an opportunity he couldn’t turn down.

“When I think about it, I actually get sort of nervous, to tell you the truth. It’s one of those things where I’m nervous, really excited and very honored all at the same time. It is humbling and it is going to be a great experience. I’m really looking forward to it,” said Davis.

“I’m going to speak with Scott Zeron and Randy Waples more about it in depth,” Davis continued. “Luc (Ouellette) has also had experience driving in Europe. It’ll be great to be able to pick their brains for tips and expectations in regard to what to expect.”

Davis, who relocated from British Columbia to Ontario in May of 2009, is enroute to a career year. Along with his 396 wins, he’s driven horses to purse earnings in excess of C$4.2 million. It’s a huge leap from his first season of driving in 2007 when he had 11 wins and just over C$67,000 in purse earnings.

Items on the itinerary include the 2012 Trotteur Français International Awards Dinner, a clash against fellow international reinsmen in the ‘Prix des Rencontres Internationales du Trotteur Français,’ a lunch at the racecourse and the Grand National du Trot.