Thirteen of Europe’s best older trotters will meet on Sunday afternoon (Feb. 8) at Vincennes in the Prix de France, which is contested at Vincennes at 2100 meters – about 1-5/16 miles.
The Prix de France is considered a rematch of the Prix d’Amerique, and historically, it has been hard for the Prix d’Amerique winner to come out on top again in this race.
In the last 10 years, this double has only happened three times — Bold Eagle managed it twice, and the only other Prix d’Amerique winner who also took the Prix de France is Idao de Tillard in 2024.
In 2025, Go On Boy with Romain Derieux won, and this pair is back on Sunday afternoon, aiming to redeem themselves after a disappointing run as second favorite in the Prix d’Amerique, where he broke stride in the stretch as a tired horse.
Prix d’Amerique winner Hokkaido Jiel with Franck Nivard will attempt to score the double, and it is not entirely impossible. Hokkaido Jiel has previously won at the track and at the same distance in a record time of 1:51.1 (mile rate)!
However, he is unlikely to be the favorite; that title goes to Sweden’s Francesco Zet with Benjamin Rochard, who made a huge impression in the Prix d’Amerique by posting the fastest finish from last place in the field. Although he finish only eighth, the performance was impressive.
Stablemate Epic Kronos with Alexandre Abrivard finished third in the Prix d’Amerique and is also a contender, along with Josh Power driven by David Thomain.
An interesting participant is Iguski Sautonne with Matthieu Abrivard, who three weeks ago won the world’s biggest under-saddle race, the Prix de Cornulier.
There are 13 horses in the field, and the total prize money is 400,000 euros.
The Prix de France starts at 9:15 a.m. EST.
At 4:28 a.m., some of the best 5-year-old French trotters meet in the Prix Ovide Moulinet for 120,000 euros—including Liza Josselyn with Nicolas Bazire among the entrants.
The races can be followed live at www.letrot.com.