How is the Prix d’Amérique seen from abroad? Top US/Canadian driver Yannick Gingras, Italian trainer/driver Marco Smorgon, Dutch driver Robin Bakker and Swedish trainer Stefan Hultman give LeTROT their point of view.
Yannick Gingras
Yannick Gingras drove Jimmy Takter’s top mare Maven in the 2015 Prix d’Amérique. The 4-time Hambletonian Oaks winner and multiple Breeders Crown winner has won nearly 7,000 races in North America.
The Americans consider the world’s greatest trots are the Elitloppet, Hambletonian and Grand Prix d’Amérique (no specific order of preference). The ondulating 2,700-meter trip means the Grand Prix d’Amérique suits European trotters best, as American trotters are more used to a flat mile. A horse like Bold Eagle, who looks a lot like an American-bred trotter, is really well-suited to the race profile. In the US we really respect the race as it’s probably the toughest to win, although billing it as a World Championship does seem a bit exaggerated to us. But it’s a major event that will be covered at home in spite of the morning time difference, and a race we’ll definately talk about that afternoon at the races.
Marco Smorgon
Marco Smorgon shares his time between Italy and France. The trainer/driver of very smart Oropuro Bar, Zinzan Brooke Tur and Romanesque has scored 53 times in France.
The Italians consider it as the biggest trot in the world. It’s always brodcasted at home. Prizemoney is not a great deal more than our Derby, but it’s far more important in terms of selection. And then there’s the charm of Vincennes racetrack with its atypical circuit and world-class drivers who may lose a race because they travel too wide. It’s definately a magical race and day’s trotting.
Robin Bakker
Robin Bakker often comes to France to drive for Paul Hagoort, and notably lifted the 2014 Grand Prix de l’UET at Mauquenchy on board Robert Bi. He has scored 45 times in France.
It’s the greatest race in the world and is much-awaited in Holland. I always come to Prix d’Amérique day in a bus with friends. A worthwhile 7-hour journey. It’s a bit like the Elitloppet with even more. As Equidia racing channel is broadcasted at home, racegoers who can’t be there can see it live on tele. It’s even more exciting this year as 6 or 7 runners have serious claims.
Stefan Hultman :
Stefan Hultman is one of Sweden’s all-time top trainers, mentor of Amérique winners Naglo and Maharajah. He has lifted 34 G1 trophies, including 2 Prix d’Amérique, the Prix de France, Prix de Paris, 2 GP de l’UET and 1 Elitloppet. His charges have scored 42 times in France.
Vincennes is the Mecca of Trotting, even for the Swedes. It’s the world’s greatest race, although our Elitloppet is also much sought-after. Everyone dreams of winning the Grand Prix d’Amérique. You’ve got to have a horse in hardened steel to win it. In Scandinavia, everyone eagerly awaits the Big Day. There’s big coverage in the media, and perhaps even more so this year with top-class Swedish-trained Propulsion and Readly Express at the post. The Swedes love Grand Prix d’Amérique day and those who can’t come over to Paris will follow it on TV live.
