Two of the world’s best horses, the French stars Inexess Bleu and Idao de Tillard, met Wednesday (Oct. 21) at the racetrack in Toulouse in southwestern France.
Once again, the gelding Inexess Bleu, driven by Alexandre Abrivard, had the measure of two-time Prix d’Amérique winner Idao de Tillard, driven by Clément Duvaldestin.
The two horses, who are the same age, have now faced each other eight times—and one of them has won on seven occasions.
Inexess Bleu has come out on top in five of their head-to-head meetings, while Idao de Tillard has won only twice.
On Wednesday, Inexess Bleu (sired by Vittel de Brévol) won comfortably and earned €90,000 (approximately US$101,000), while Idao de Tillard finished second a couple of lengths behind and collected €50,000 (approximately US$56,000).
While Idao de Tillard will now be brought into peak condition for the Winter Meeting and a bid to win the Prix d’Amérique for a third time, Inexess Bleu will be given a break because there are no suitable races for a gelding who has earned nearly €1.6 million (approximately US$1.8 million).
Geldings are barred from the Winter Meeting’s major international races, including the four “B” races that serve as qualifiers for the Prix d’Amérique, as well as the Prix de France and the Prix de Paris.