Belgium — For the second year in a row, the French horse Go On Boy, with his trainer Romain Derieux, won Belgium’s biggest harness race, the Grand Prix de Wallonie, at the Mons track.
This race, held for the 25th time this year, was expected to be a showdown between this year’s Prix d’Amérique winner, Idao de Tillard, and this year’s Elitlopp winner, Horsy Dream. However, as the race unfolded, they never got into the fight for victory.
Go On Boy took the lead early at a controlled pace. Idao de Tillard was on the outside without cover, while Horsy Dream was further back in the field and never found space to attack in the decisive phase of the race.
Go On Boy won comfortably in 2:00.2 (mile rate), while there was a fierce battle for second place between the two Thierry Duvaldestin-trained horses, Ampia Mede SM with Theo Duvaldestin and Idao de Tillard with Clement Duvaldestin. Ampia Mede SM took second place by a nose.
Horsy Dream, with Eric Raffin, finished strongly but only managed fifth place.
This was the second consecutive year that Go On Boy won this race – a feat previously only achieved by Face Time Bourbon.
The first prize was 72,000 Euros.