Normandy, France – The two-time Prix d’Amérique winner, Idao de Tillard, returned to action on Thursday (March 12) at the Caen track in Normandy. It was his first start since suffering a serious bout of colic and undergoing surgery back in November.
Idao de Tillard, who had not raced since October 11 at Solvalla, was once again driven by Clément Duvaldestin, as always.
Trainer Thierry Duvaldestin had found what appeared on paper to be a suitable assignment for the stable star, entering Idao de Tillard in a race for horses that had not earned €35,000 or more since October 31. The distance was 2,200 meters, approximately 1 3/8 miles.
Idao de Tillard was sent off as the heavy favorite at 16:10 , but racing with four heavy shoes, he never became a factor and finished seventh, clocked in 1:54.1 (mile rate).
“I was nevertheless very pleased with Idao de Tillard’s performance,” said Thierry Duvaldestin after the race. “He was wearing heavy shoes and lacked race fitness. He will be better next time, which could be April 4 in the Prix Kerjacques at Vincennes or April 18 in the Prix de l’Atlantique at Enghien.”
Thursday’s race at Caen was won convincingly by Igrec de Celland, driven by Benjamin Rochard, in 1:53.2 (mile rate).