by Karsten Bønsdorf, USTA Newsroom Senior Correspondent

Darling de Reux, driven by David Thomain, was an upset winner of the Criterium des 4 Ans — one of the finest trotting races in France — Saturday afternoon (May 6) at Vincennes.

Darling de Reux came from behind to win the 1-3/4 mile event in 1:56.2 (mile rate) at 15-1. This was the first time since 2007 that a mare won this prestigious event. Another mare took second, Draft Life, driven by Eric Raffin.

The purse for the winner was $120,000.

Darling de Reux, who is sired by Prodigious, is trained by Sebastian Guarato, who took his fifth Group 1 race in 2017. This was win number eight from 14 races for Darling de Reux, who now has earnings of $340,000.

Early last year the French crop of 2013 was dominated by Django Riff (sired by Ready Cash), who still is by far the richest trotter in the crop. He has earnings of $975,000 and was also racing in the Criterium, but finished seventh.